Harrisonburg is making it easier for developers to locate surplus land that could be used to spur residential development in the city.
Available properties will be shared on a new city website that will also include an application to purchase the land.
Five initial parcels are currently listed on the website: four are remnants from the widening of Reservoir Street and a fifth is on Norwood Street. The deadline for applications is April 25 (Reservoir Street) or May 27 (Norwood Street).
Parcels range in size from 0.4 acres to 0.96 acres.
“Our 2021 comprehensive housing assessment and market study indicated that surplus city-owned land is a valuable commodity that can still contribute to meeting local needs,” said Liz Webb, city housing coordinator. “Returning this publicly owned surplus property to a productive status, when possible, is important for our community and something we hope this process can help accomplish.
“Smaller parcels are a chance to foster growth, too, which is why we are not limiting what an applicant can propose,” she said. “Homeownership, rental, houses, apartments – as long as it’s housing.”
City officials will evaluate any offers that are received and make selling recommendations to City Council. Offers will be evaluated based on factors such as the applicant’s level of experience, the feasibility of their project and the offer price. Affordability also will be considered, but market-rate housing is also eligible.
The effort is in line with Harrisonburg City Council’s vision plan which calls for developing a comprehensive approach to meeting a spectrum of housing needs.
The website will specifically list properties identified as potentially suitable for new housing based on size, location, existing uses, infrastructure and current zoning.
The 2021 housing study proposed selling small parcels for modest residential purposes and issuing requests for proposals for more significantly sized parcels. Webb anticipates issuing RFPs for larger parcels later this year.
Questions should be directed to Webb at (540) 432-7701 or [email protected].
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Crystal Graham
