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1 Sivan 5765 - June 8, 2005 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Sharon Initiates Extensive Development Plan for Jerusalem

By Betzalel Kahn

The government issued another declaration on Monday intended to advance and develop extensive plans in Jerusalem, including the construction of housing units for young couples, employment and a downtown renewal program. Based on instructions by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon the government approved the NIS 280-million plan on Monday at a meeting held at Ammunition Hill.

At Sharon's behest Finance Minister Netanyahu presented an alternative to encourage housing in Jerusalem for young couples based on a similar arrangement recently made in the Negev and the Galilee or another arrangement.

According to the announcement issued by the Prime Minister's Office the goal is to transform Jerusalem into a center of employment and the government will act to encourage new factories and other enterprises to come to the city and to encourage the hiring of new personnel. Toward this end the government will provide new enterprises with incentives in industry as well as high-tech and communications workers. In addition the government will grant stipends to college students who continue to live and work in Jerusalem after graduating. Assistance will be given to technology greenhouses and extensive efforts will be made to promote the city's tourism industry.

In order to expand the supply of housing in Jerusalem the government will promote the planning and marketing of lands designated for housing. The plan also calls for transferring government institutions to the downtown area to attract other activity. A plan will also be formulated to encourage the construction of commercial and office buildings and to improve the urban landscape.

The Prime Minister said the plan places Jerusalem where it belongs and conveys a clear message regarding the Israeli government's commitment to Jerusalem.

The new plan was launched following intensive lobbying by Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky to promote these issues ever since his election. In innumerable meetings with the PM, Finance Minister Netanyahu and other ministers, Rabbi Lupoliansky raised a range of issues related to buttressing the City of Jerusalem and demanded increased funding for development, construction of housing units for young couples, the promotion of employment opportunities and the physical development of the city.

A few weeks ago the Mayor even reached an agreement with the Finance Minister to provide special incentives for housing, employment and development. The plan, which came to be known as "the Lupoliansky Package," promises to help make it possible for many young couples to purchase apartments in Jerusalem itself rather than in outlying areas.

Mayor Lupoliansky said at the core of the plan is housing assistance and benefits for young couples, at least comparable to the assistance available in the Negev and the Galilee. Only this element of the plan will encourage young couples to live in Jerusalem, he said.

 

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