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Council awards demolition contracts for 17 properties; funding from FEMA and IHDA programs
Summary
The council approved two bid packages to demolish 17 blighted properties across the city, funded by FEMA floodway grants for East Side properties and Illinois Housing Development Authority Strong Communities funding for others; some council members asked about reuse and remediation plans.
Freeport — The City Council approved two demolition bid packages at its meeting, awarding contracts for eight and nine properties to Albert and Son Earthworks. The first package was awarded for $100,610 and the second for $121,570; both votes passed with council majorities (packages passed unanimous or near‑unanimous depending on roll call listed in minutes).
Staff said several of the properties slated for demolition are in the FEMA floodway buyout area on the East Side and are part of the city’s agreed demolition program tied to buyouts. Those homes were purchased according to program rules; owners who occupied properties at the time of buyout received statutorily provided relocation payments per the grant conditions. Other properties in the packages were eligible for demolition through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Strong Communities demolition program. Each property subject to demolition received required notifications and, where applicable, asbestos assessments.
Aldermen asked staff to confirm whether any properties could be rehabilitated instead of demolished. Community development staff and the director said most structures have severe water, structural and code issues (including long‑standing water damage and, in many cases, asbestos) that put them beyond practical repair under program rules; FEMA policy restricts repairs that would exceed certain percentages of market value. Staff said many properties had been acquired by the county for back taxes or had otherwise reached the point where demolition was the only feasible option.
Staff noted that asbestos-containing materials significantly increase demolition costs and that each lot had been assessed for hazardous materials before bidding. The contracts will be funded by the FEMA floodway grant for eligible East Side parcels and by the IHDA Strong Communities demolition funds for other parcels. City staff said additional demolition bid rounds are planned; staff referenced around 27 properties expected for demolition in coming months when current and pipeline packages are combined.
The council approved the contract awards and directed staff to continue required environmental abatement, notification and demolition processes.
