Lots zoned for 5,000 apartments for haredim (ultra-orthodox) will be marketed next week in the haredi town of Harish-Katzir near Wadi Ara. Minister of Housing and Construction Ariel Atias today announced the marketing of half of the 10,300 apartments in the outline plan for the haredi town, saying that the reasonable prices would bring thousands of young couples to the town.
Atias said that marketing in Harish-Katzir was one of the largest land sales at a single site since the founding of the state. Lots for the construction of 5,000 apartments in the new town will be marketed next week. Harish-Katzir is located in the Nahal Iron area, near Hadera, five minutes from Road 6 and an hour from Tel Aviv.
"Increasing the supply of land lowers demand and prices," said Atias. "Since I took office, land zoned for 120,000 apartments has been marketed. Harish is the first town on this scale marketed since 1994."
Under the plan, the first apartments will be occupied within two and a half years. In 1992, land for 300 apartments was sold in Harish-Katzir, but three subsequent land sales in 1992-99 all failed. In 2008, the government decided to establish a town with religiously-oriented planning. The Ministry of Housing and Construction began drawing up the outline plan for the town, and, in 2009, Atias decided to consolidate the outline with a detailed plan to shorten procedures.
Also in 2009, Minister of Interior Eli Yishai set up a special committee to approve the outline and detailed plans. In 2010, the government set up a committee of ministries' director generals, headed by Ministry of Interior director general Mordechai Mordechai, to establish Harish-Katzir as a major and long-term solution for the religious community. The plan came into effect this year.
In accordance with the government decision of 2008, the Harish-Katzir plan was adapted to meet the needs of the religious community. The tenders that will be published next week will be closed within three months, and are for 29 large lots.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 27, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012