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Washington council approves 101 Washington Square TIF deal, trims nuisance abatement payment window
Summary
The Washington City Council on Aug. 18 approved a redevelopment agreement for 101 Washington Square by a 7–1 vote, unanimously shortened the payment window for nuisance abatement charges from 45 to seven days, and approved multiple commercial-improvement grants and appointments.
The Washington City Council on Monday approved a redevelopment agreement for 101 Washington Square after a discussion about the property's status and the city’s remaining TIF resources.
At the heart of the debate was whether the city should commit additional TIF funds without clarity on ongoing projects. An alderperson who pressed staff for details said, "I don't know that I support putting more money in here without knowing some of those other unknowns of, potential other buildings and projects that may require significant, you know, TIF funding." The council approved the redevelopment agreement 7–1.
City staff told council members the property is in the process of being sold and that a prospective buyer expects to close within roughly 60 days; staff said the buyer had indicated plans to continue the redevelopment. A staff member summarized the sale status: "It is in process of being sold ... the new prospective owner has indicated that they plan to take the redevelopment to continue on from where it had left off." The council adopted the agreement under those conditions.
The council also unanimously passed a resolution amending the nuisance abatement code to reduce the time to pay abatement charges from 45 days to seven days. Interim City Administrator Dennis Carr presented the change as a code amendment intended to speed collections.
Other formal actions included unanimous approval of commercial building and property-improvement grant agreements with Frank and Lucene Bray for work at 1503 Washington Road and with Cherry Tree Plaza LLC for improvements at the Cherry Tree Shopping Center. The council also confirmed mayoral appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Tree Board.
On other business, the council advanced a first-reading ordinance to allow a non-owner-occupied short-term rental at 301 South Main Street (a special-use request by Katie and Kevin Beal). That item was given first reading with no substantive questions.
The council moved into executive session under the litigation exception of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)); the mayor stated there would be no action to come out of the executive session. The meeting adjourned after the closed session motion carried.
