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Lee County staff meet with developer on Lee Center School redevelopment, Strong Communities grant IGA discussed
Summary
County staff said a developer plans about 20 housing units at the former Lee Center School in two phases and county staff are negotiating an intergovernmental agreement with Amboy and Dixon to use Strong Communities grant funds before a November spending deadline.
Lee County staff told the Public Safety Committee that a developer has advanced plans to convert the former Lee Center School into housing, with roughly 20 units planned in two phases and an initial phase of about 8 to 10 units.
The comment came from Jerry, who updated the committee on abandoned-property work and redevelopment outreach. He said the developer and an architect walked the site and will return with formal drawings to present to the committee and the County Board.
The redevelopment is tied to a Strong Communities grant administered through the state. Jerry said the county is drafting an intergovernmental agreement, or IGA, with the City of Amboy after meeting with Amboy’s attorney; he also said the City of Dixon has identified two or three properties for the same grant. The county has “until November to get these funds expended,” Jerry said, and staff are moving quickly to obligate the money.
Jerry said the developer plans to complete a first phase of about 8–10 units, rent those units, then carry out exterior remodeling and waterproofing and build additional units in a second phase. He described the project as “great progress” and said the developer hopes to begin remodeling by the end of the year.
County staff said that if funds remain unallocated in a few months, they will identify properties in unincorporated Lee County for the grant dollars. Jerry named ASA Sasser and Amboy’s attorney as participants in IGA discussions but did not give a developer name during the update.
Ending: County staff asked the committee to expect a future presentation when the developer’s drawings are more finalized; no formal vote or commitment of county dollars was recorded on the item.
