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CITY of DECATUR <br /> DEPARTMENT of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> MEMORANDUM # 99-08 <br /> April 21, 1999 <br /> To: Honorable Mayor d City Council Members <br /> From: James L. Williar��ity Manager '/ <br /> A.J. Krieger, Director, Economic Development Department�j C/ <br /> V <br /> Re: Blackstone Group/Ash/51 development agreement <br /> Attached to this memo is a proposed development agreement between the City of Decatur and <br /> the Blackstone Group, an Illinois General Partnership. The agreement provides for City <br /> participation in the development of a planned shopping center at the southeast corner of Ash <br /> Avenue and US 51 in Decatur. <br /> As Council is aware, the previous agenda item changed the zoning classification of the site from <br /> R-1 Single Family District and B-2 Commercial District, to B-3 Planned Shopping Center <br /> District. A copy of the approved site plan serves this agreement as E�ibit A. <br /> Because of the unique nature and specific demands of the proposed project, staff has worked <br /> with the developer in an attempt to m�imize the utility of the site while also mitigating the <br /> impact on residential development to the south. In addition to the protection afforded by the B-3 <br /> Planned Shopping District process, staff has negotiated additional measures which are present in <br /> the proposed agreement. Also, staff has negotiated a level of City financial participation, which <br /> when combined with the specific site restrictions, makes the project both economically viable <br /> and significantly less intrusive. <br /> The following is a brief description of the agreements major provisions: <br /> 1. The developer will have to construct storm water drainage and detention improvements <br /> which would ordinarily be cost prohibitive due to the unique nature and topography of the <br /> site. <br /> 2. The developer will have to construct/install landscape improvements and site amenities not <br /> typically required (or present) in similar existing retail centers in Decatur; e.g. the existing <br /> Sam's/Wa1Mart Plaza immediately to the north of the site. This site will feature areas of <br /> green space,trees/shrubs, and other site amenities designed to increase its aesthetic appeal. <br /> 3. The development will feature buildings with brick facades as per a specific requirement of <br /> the proposed agreement. <br /> 4. The City will make application to the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and <br /> Community Affairs to alter the boundaries of the Decatur Enterprise Zone to include the site. <br /> 5. The City will reimburse the developer an amount not to exceed $300,000. As per the <br /> proposed agreement, the developer is required to achieve certain performance objectives, <br />