2001-32 VACATING 1200 BLOCK OF WEST MACON STREET AND TWO ALLEYS EAST OF FAIRVIEW AVENUE BETWEEN WEST WOOD AND MACON STREETS AND BETWEEN WEST MACON AND DECATUR STREETS

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ECONOMIC AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM No. 01-35 April 1l, 2001 TO: Honorable May r Terry M. Howley and City Council Members FROM: Steve Garm ' y Manager A. J. Krieger, s istant City Manager � Steve Van Stee uyse, AICP, Planning anage�,�j Kathy J. Miller, AICP, Planner j�OP,�. ��,. SUBJECT: Street and Alley Vacations--1200 Block West Macon Street Alleys East of Fairview Avenue between Wood, Macon and Decatur Streets on Petition of Millikin University SLJMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the street and alley vacations with the utility easements noted in the ordinance. The Plan Commission reviewed the request at the April 5 meeting and recommended approval with a vote of 7 to 0. Plan Commission Minutes axe attached. BACKGROLTND: Millikin University is acquiring properties south of Main Street to develop playing fields and green space. Most of the properties are vacant land. The Decatur Indoor Sports Center is located at the northwest corner of the site. The west portion of the alley between West Wood Street and West Macon Street was vacated in May, 1999. The 1100 and 1200 blocks of West Decatur Street were vacated in July, 1999. The petitioner wishes to vacate the remaining portion of the alley just east of Fairview Avenue between West Wood and Macon Streets, the 1200 block of West Macon Street and the alley east of Fairview Avenue between Macon and Decatur Streets to begin the construction of the playing fields. A Millikin University Master Plan has been submitted and reviewed showing proposed locations of the playing fields, walkways and landscaping. Also submitted is a preliminary parking lot plan east of the Indoor Sports Center. The parking lot plan will be more thoroughly reviewed when submitted for the site plan review process. A major issue at the time of the Decatur Street vacation was construction of a public walkway around the Woods Apartments area and under the tracks through the new playing fields to Fairview Avenue. A sidewalk was constructed to the east side of the viaduct, connecting to the existing sidewalk on Decatur Street when The Woods was built.