Adopt-A-Lot (Harrisburg, PA)

The City of Harrisburg’s Adopt-A-Lot program allows people to “adopt” city-owned vacant lots for the purpose of maintaining and beautifying them. The program allows residents, nonprofits, school groups, businesses, and neighborhood groups an opportunity to create green spaces on publicly owned vacant lots, without the financial obligations that come with ownership (e.g., property taxes). Lots owned by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority can be adopted for a $1 annual fee. Adopters can create projects such as community gardens, clean and green spaces, and recreational spaces.

This is one of many examples of cities providing low-cost access to vacant lots as an incentive for reuse.