Normal is looking to buy a piece of land and use it as a lot for Habitat for Humanity to build on. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – A purchase of a roughly 13,000-square foot lot at 1001 Franklin Ave. in Normal could end up benefiting a local family in need of a home.

The Normal Town Council will consider the purchase Tuesday night. City manager Mark Peterson said the town is working with Habitat for Humanity with the goal of placing two single family homes on the lot.

"This is a parking lot that was previously used to provide parking for two churches that were across the street," said Peterson. "Those churches have been purchase, torn down, and been replaced with apartment buildings that have their own parking."

Peterson explained the lot is zone for single family housing, so the property owner cannot simply sell parking on it. The land has become a blight in the neighborhood.

"We've done other projects with Habitat in the past successfully, not much recently," said Peterson. "So we're always keeping our eye out for opportunities where we might be able to partner with Habitat to address a neighborhood issue and we felt this was a good one."

The town does not have a formal agreement with Habitat for Humanity at this point, but Peterson said Habitat is excited about the project and was confident a deal would be made.

The property would be purchased using $35,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].