NEW YORK, NY January 16, 2008 —Owners of vacant sites in upper Manhattan are being given a reason to develop their languishing properties if they don't, they could face higher taxes.

REPORTER; Currently, tax rates for vacant property south of 110th Street are lower than those for vacant land north of that boundry. But City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito is co-sponsoring a bill to change that. She says the bill would also require the city to conduct an annual survey of empty lots and apartments.

MARK-VIVERITO: How can we then work collectively, with state city, even federal government to see how we can incentives the development of this space, in a way that it is in tune with the needs of the community.

REPORTER: Supporters hope to find ways to encourage property owners to develop their vacant land into affordable housing.