Urban Agriculture

Property sold to be used as urban agriculture that is fenced and managed by local growers. 

Urban agriculture increases equitable community access to healthy foods, promotes community cohesion, and provides business and educational opportunities to neighborhood residents. 

Purchase price: 

Applicants can purchase the property for $1.00 per individual property with a ten-year commitment to use the land for urban agriculture. Urban Agriculture sites typically consist of one to three properties.  

Required application materials

Name of individual or of business or non-profit

  • Individuals must include their full legal first and last name. 
  • Non-profits or businesses must include their legal and DBA name as registered with the Illinois Secretary of State. 

Address of residence, non-profit, or business

  • Individuals must provide their primary residence address. 
  • Non-profits or businesses must provide their physical business address. 

Project description

  • Provide details regarding the proposed use and/or physical improvements for the subject property or site. 

Site plan

  • A dimensioned and to-scale site plan that labels all proposed physical improvements, distance from lot lines, and any key activity areas is required.  

Project budget

  • An itemized budget for the proposed use and/or improvements is required. 

Proof of community support

  • Any combination of letters of support from residents, property owners, business owners, local alderpeople, and institutions proximate; presentations from community meetings; and consistency with neighborhood plans fulfills this requirement. 

Description of impact on immediate block area and surrounding community

  • Please see application-type specific requirements for details. 

Purchase offer

  • Each application must include a proposed purchase price. With few exceptions, market rate applications are expected to offer the full market value or above for the property. 

Economic Disclosure Statement (EDS) 

  • This can be completed online here. Download a PDF copy to upload to the application. 

Indebtedness check

  • The applicant must not have any outstanding debts or financial obligations to the City or delinquent real estate property taxes.    
  • If the applicant is a non-profit, the indebtedness check is performed on the non-profit organization and its officers. 
  • If the applicant is a business, the indebtedness check is performed on all ownership interests of greater than 7.5 percent (7.5%).