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Swansea staff update trustees on vacant building registry and availability of state infrastructure and demolition funds
Summary
Building & Zoning Director Dan Thomas updated trustees on additions to the village's vacant building registry and a separate 'worst properties' list that could be used for demolition or foreclosure; trustees also discussed several state grants (two $100,000 DCEO grants, a $150,000 award not bonded and $250,000 for demolition) and options for deploying those funds.
Village staff gave trustees an update on the vacant building registry and several state grant opportunities that could fund infrastructure or demolition work.
Dan Thomas, Building & Zoning Director, said the village’s third-party registry vendor has added properties this month and he is still evaluating the ordinance and the practical steps that follow a registry listing, including enforcement timelines and the most stringent available remedies for the worst properties. "I'm working on another... spreadsheet internally on the most disgusting and dilapidated and mold infested and so forth properties that are around the village," Thomas said, and he noted demolition or strict foreclosure might be pursued where feasible.
Trustees asked for a prioritized list of the worst properties and flagged litigation and cost constraints associated with foreclosure and demolition. Thomas said Munirag is still collecting fees and that he is coordinating with legal counsel (John Krauske) to ensure implementation follows statutory timelines.
Separately, staff summarized several grant opportunities from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO): two separate $100,000 infrastructure grants available for application, a $150,000 award not yet bonded, and a $250,000 allocation specifically designated for demolition. Trustees discussed using the $100,000 grants either to pick a new project or to substitute as match on planned road projects to free other local funds for future use.
Trustees expressed a preference to move quickly to apply and allocate funds before they risk being swept, and staff said they would prepare applications and recommendations for which projects would best use the awards.
