DuPage County committee declares two properties surplus, plans auction and demolition; proceeds eyed for housing trust

DuPage County’s Development Committee voted May 20 to approve a resolution (DCR 2-25) declaring two county-owned properties in Medina, Illinois, surplus and authorizing them to be placed for public auction, with demolition to be performed before sale and proceeds earmarked for a proposed housing trust and land bank.

The measure was introduced during the committee’s regular meeting and passed by voice vote after discussion. Acting Chair (name not specified) asked for the motion and, after questions from members, opened discussion on sale method, demolition and programmatic use of proceeds.

Member Kyle Rutledge asked, “So, declaration of surplus, are we putting this up for sale?” Paul (staff member) replied, “We’re putting it up for auction. Yes.” Paul told the committee staff had earlier considered adding one parcel to a prospective land bank but determined the parcel would likely yield only a single housing unit; an offer on the property currently “appears to be well above the appraised value of just the land alone,” Paul said. The committee discussed obtaining an appraisal before auction but was told the county could decline any bid it judged too low.

Committee members pressed for details on demolition and site preparation. Paul said county public works would carry out the demolition and that “we’ll take the foundation out. We’ll build the hole, and then we’ll put the property in the state of grass.” He also said wells and septic systems on the site would be capped. Member Oza asked about lot size; Paul said the property is about 20,000 square feet, roughly a half-acre, and that most homes in the neighborhood have half-acre lots or larger.

Committee members asked how the county would set a minimum acceptable sale price. Paul said the county expects to obtain an appraisal but would not establish a preset minimum listed on the auction; rather, the county retains the ability to reject bids it deems too low. Member Kredewski asked whether an appraisal would set a floor; the response was that the county “currently have the ability to say no” to an insufficient bid.

Paul told the committee the county will present additional items in coming weeks to the County Board Finance Committee and the County Board: a resolution to create a land bank and a separate resolution to establish a housing trust and a potential nonprofit partner to manage trust funds. He said proceeds from the auction would be placed into the proposed housing trust, which could be used for a broader set of housing solutions than holding a single parcel.

The committee approved DCR 2-25 by voice vote. Committee members did not record a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript. Next steps identified in the discussion: obtain an appraisal, perform county-managed demolition and forward the resolutions creating a land bank and housing trust to the County Board for consideration.