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Oak Park approves purchase of dilapidated tax-foreclosed property on West 9 Mile Road for redevelopment
Summary
The Oak Park City Council voted to buy a tax-foreclosed building at 10670 West 9 Mile Road to resell via an RFP for mixed-use redevelopment. Council discussed how outstanding utilities and post-foreclosure blight costs are handled and described the parcel as a strategic, park-adjacent redevelopment opportunity.
Oak Park city officials on July 7 approved a resolution to exercise the city’s right of first refusal and purchase a tax-foreclosed property at 10670 West 9 Mile Road for resale to a redeveloper.
Director Kimberly Maroney told the council the building “has been dilapidated for many years” and that the administration intends to run a request-for-proposals process aiming for a mixed-use development with commercial on the ground floor and residential above. Maroney said the city does not plan to retain the building long-term and expects to recover costs on resale.
Councilors pressed staff on whether outstanding utility bills and blight assessments would be included in the purchase price. The city attorney explained that the utility bill is rolled into the tax and therefore is included in the bid amount, while blight costs incurred after the foreclosure would become the city’s responsibility.
Council members, including Julie Edgar, described the location as “very strategic,” noting proximity to parks and a pocket-park crosswalk. The council approved the resolution by roll call.
Next steps called for staff to issue an RFP to attract a redeveloper and for the administration to manage the sale process; council discussion emphasized using the site to catalyze mixed-use redevelopment that complements nearby parks.
