Most people, even those struggling to find a way to purchase an apartment would not jump at an opportunity to purchase an apartment in the new chareidi city of Kasif, which is located a short drive away from Arad. However, developers are far from pessimistic, and they are confident that when the plans are revealed and the tzibur becomes better acquainted with realities pertaining to the city, the hesitation will pass. They explain that transportation is improving daily, and the once treacherous road to Arad is being turned into a four-lane route.

After plans to build Charish as an exclusively chareidi city failed, a subcommittee of the national committee suggested earlier this week that Kasif replace Charish, to build an exclusively chareidi city which will be home to 100,000 residents. Kasif will be built at Tel Arad Junction. The plans for the southern community date back to 2007. The plans have passed a number of hurdles and it is approved “in principle” by the National Planning & Building Commission.

Developers told chareidi radio on Wednesday night the eve of 24 Teves that if the government is genuinely interested in moving the project along, which appears to be the case, all of the permits and paperwork will be completed within two years. It is pointed out that the city is near Arad and the ground is level, not mountainous, which will significantly speed up initial infrastructure. Developers are confident that if there are no government delays, the first residents will be able to move into one of 16,000 housing units within 4-5 years.

The city is planned to cover 6,400 dunam (1,600 acres), with high-density construction of 4-5-story buildings and 15-20% private housing units. The plan also includes commercial and business space suitable for the chareidi tzibur, which of course includes educational mosdos, shuls, mikvaos and so-forth.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)