R2020-146 Resolution Authorizing Real Estate Purchase Agreement for 439 South Maffit Street, City of Decatur, Illinois

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Community Development DATE: 10/5/2020 MEMO: 20-40 TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe&Decatur City Council Members FROM: Scot Wrighton,City Manager Cordaryl"Pat"Patrick,Director of Community Development Greg Crowe,Planning and Development Manager Tim Dudley,Economic Development Coordinator SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Real Estate Purchases in the John's Hill Revitalization Area SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the city enter in to a purchase agreement for each property being acquired,which are all part of the John's Hill Revitalization Area. BACKGROUND: The City of Decatur has for the last few years been developing a strategy for a Neighborhood Revitalization effort throughout our community. With DPS61 investing in a new school for John's Hill,this made the John's Hill Area a very attractive place to enhance and revitalize. With the graciousness of the Howard G. Buffet Foundation,a grant for Phase I activity is now underway to demolish some structures which are too far gone to rehab and to acquire others which could possibly be rehabilitated to spur growth and redevelopment momentum in the John's Hill Area. These six voluntary property acquisitions are all located across East Maffit Street from the new Johns Hill School building.A location map showing the 6 properties for acquisitions and current City owned lots is attached with this memo. Two of the six are vacant lots with the other four containing structures that are currently vacant except 849 E. Johns Ave. which is currently occupied by the property owners. PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: City Council approved a grant agreement with the Howard G Buffett Foundation for Phase 1 Johns Hill Revitalization including voluntary property acquisitions at the April 6,2020 meeting. POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: None anticipated INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: None STAFF REFERENCE: Should the City Council have any questions,they may contact Tim Dudley at 450-2337 or e-mail at tdudley@decaturil.gov or Greg Crowe at 424-2786 or e-mail at gcrowe@decaturil.gov BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: Total acquisition cost for the six properties is$74,000. No demolition or revitalization of the site is expected in the current fiscal year. The properties are being entirely funded by the John's Hill Phase One Howard G. Buffett Foundation grant. ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Resolution with Agreements Resolution Letter Location Map Backup Material