R2024-223 Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Decatur and Decatur Park District Real Estate Transfer of Portions of Garfield Park

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May 2, 2024 TO: Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe & Decatur City Council Members FROM: Scot Wrighton, City Manager RE: Transfer of a Portion of Garfield Park One way or the other, in the near future,the city of Decatur will own (for a finite period of time) the 9.5-acre parcel at the southeast corner of West Grand and North Oakland Streets, generally known as the Old Garfield School site. Either it will be transferred to the city by the school district and then sub-divided for a mixed use development including rehabilitation of the former school into affordable apartments for seniors (or some other use), OR it will be transferred to the city by the school district and the old school will be torn down, with the cost of demolition split equally between the city and the school district. In either case,the city will eventually transfer its land ownership to a developer or other user of the property.The city still hopes to make this site a catalyst project for the Neighborhood United area. To augment this neighborhood improvement, the city has partnered with the Decatur Park District to enhance Garfield Park so that the combined catalyst project will positively impact land values in the neighborhood.The park district's plan for this 'park make-over'will create a modern "pocket park"(already approved by the council), and after it is complete,the park district will not require the entire 4.542 acres of what has historically been known as Garfield Park. They propose to transfer 1.914 acres of the park to the city.The city, in turn, will add this smaller parcel to the 9.5-acre parcel currently owned by the DPS-61. Bywater Development has tentatively amended their planning documents to include this additional acreage.