Mayor Richard M. Daley's plan to convert a trio of adjacent, vacant lots in the West Town community into a community garden was approved today by the Chicago City Council.

"Residents throughout Chicago have demonstrated how public gardens help to foster neighborhood cooperation and beautification. This site presents an additional opportunity for neighbors to advance these ideals," Mayor Daley said.

The three lots, at 951-55 W. Huron St., will be acquired by the City and eventually transferred to the NeighborSpace land trust. They will be managed as a community garden by Neighbors of River West, a local community organization.

Comprising 5,325 square feet, the lots were acquired by a private owner in 2007 for a proposed housing development. In lieu of the depressed housing market, the owner is instead selling them to the City for approximately two thirds of their appraised value.

The $575,000 purchase price will be paid for with OpenSpace Impact Fees. Open Space Impact Fees are collected from new residential developments to help finance new open space projects within each of the city's 77 community areas.