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.' .� <br /> Economic & Urban Development Department Memorandum <br /> #03-81 <br /> August 14, 2003 <br /> TO: Honorable ayor Terry M. Howley and City Council Members <br /> FROM: Steve G , City Manager <br /> A.J. Krie , Assistant City Manager <br /> SUBJECT: Targeted Acquisition and Demolition <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> Approval of the attached resolution will authorize the City Manager to acquire certain <br /> properties targeted by City staff for demolition. City staff recommends approval. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> As Council is aware, the Illinois Appellate Court has declared the Statute that allows <br /> cities to demolish unsafe structures to be unconstitutional. As such the courts have been <br /> reluctant to issue demolition orders pending a final decision from the Illinois Supreme <br /> Court. <br /> In the meantime several neighborhood groups and/or private citizens have contacted the <br /> City requesting that action be taken against certain properties. <br /> City staff has determined that in certain situations, actually taking possession of some of <br /> these ro erties ma be effective <br /> p p y as a means of engaging in some targeted nuisance <br /> abatement. As a bit of a test case, staff is recommending the City acquire properties <br /> located at 864 West North, 893-895 West North, and 736 South Martin Luther King Jr. <br />� Dnve m order to proceed with demolition. <br /> Combined, the City can acquire all three properties for less than $500. Once acquired, <br /> the City will solicit bids for demolition and forward to Council for approval. In City <br /> staf�s view, pending the Illinois Supreme Court's review of the Appellate Court <br />' decision, a targeted acquisition and demolition effort is a reasonable way to abate <br /> longstanding nuisance properties. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTION: <br /> City staff is not aware of any opposition to the attached resolution. <br /> INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: <br /> N/A <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: <br /> If Council members have questions they may contact A.J. Krieger, 424-2727, <br /> ajkrie�er(a�decaturnet.org . <br /> BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: <br /> Sufficient funds for these services aze available within the FY 03-04 Planning Fund <br /> budget. <br />