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Land bank sales prompt back‑tax payments; Harbor House $2 million construction portion awaits state green light
Summary
ECDA reported four land‑bank property sales that led at least one owner to pay $10,349 in back taxes, and detailed a $2,000,000 portion of a Harbor House construction grant that requires state approval and pre‑construction steps before work can begin.
ECDA reported progress on the city land bank and the Harbor House shelter construction grant during the June 1 Community Development Committee meeting.
Barbara Watson said the land bank sold four properties (427 South Chicago, 762 South Webster, 1329 South 6th Avenue and 254 West Merchant). She said 254 West Merchant was bought by a neighbor, and noted that rehabilitation work and outreach have prompted some property owners to pay outstanding taxes — she gave the example of 605 East Merchant where an owner paid $10,349 after the city signaled enforcement actions such as liens or abandonment petitions.
On Harbor House, Watson said seven contracts related to a state grant were signed and returned; a roughly $2,000,000 portion of the larger construction grant will support four contractors but requires the state green light and several regulatory pre‑construction steps, including a required pre‑construction meeting and Department of Labor Section 3 payroll documentation before contractors may begin work. Watson told the committee she has instructed contractors not to start until the state and regulatory steps are complete.
Watson said the land bank report and property lists were provided in the committee packet; members asked where to view the list online and staff confirmed it is included in the report packet. The committee did not vote on additional land‑bank actions at the meeting.
