Newark To Offer Vacant Lots To Couples For $1,000 In Valentine's Day Sale
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- It appears the City of Newark has been bitten by the love bug.
Mayor Ras Baraka and other city officials announced on Monday the city will sell municipally-owned vacant lots in its two Model Neighborhood Initiative areas for just $1,000 each to couples seeking to construct new homes.
"We are observing Valentine's Day with creativity and a commitment to Newark's couples, by offering them opportunities to achieve their American dream of home ownership," Baraka said. "At the same time, we are turning vacant lots into homes that strengthen our communities, replacing blight with development."
The "Valentine's Land Sale Day" is first come, first serve from 9 a.m. through 12 p.m. and will take place at Newark City Hall on Saturday Feb. 14.
Couples who purchase a lot will be required to make a $500 down payment and pay the additional $500 at closing. Buyers will have to submit a City Planning Board approved site plan to close on the property and complete construction within 18 months of closing.
"Out-of-the-box steps like these are how we will transform Newark into a City we can all believe in," Baraka said.
The lots are available for purchase for any couple regardless of sexual orientation and from anywhere in the United States, not just Newark.