City must pay for vacant property

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October 25, 2009

BY JENNIFER BAILEY The Commercial-News Sun Oct 25, 2009, 12:13 AM CDT

DANVILLE — The city will move further into the real estate marketing business as it takes over ownership of a once partially-owned Renaissance Danville property.

But in the meantime, the city will just have another vacant lot to mow.

Aldermen on Wednesday will consider approving an agreement for assignment of interest of 103-107 N. Gilbert St. Aldermen previously approved acquisition of seven properties owned by Renaissance Danville Inc. and assuming the non-profit’s $123,112 debt.

In one property case, however, Renaissance purchased a two-thirds interest in the two vacant lots directly north of the Clark gas station at North and Gilbert streets for $33,333, with Gilbert H. Saikley owning the remaining interest.

In 2004, Renaissance looked at the possible construction of a two-unit owner-occupied building on the lots. The development project, however, wasn’t a priority with other house renovations already under way.

And under the agreement, if Renaissance dissolved, Saikley had the opportunity to buy back the property or sell it. Saikley doesn’t want the property and the city will pay him $16,666 out of the city’s telecommunications tax funding to acquire Saikley’s one-third interest.

Mayor Scott Eisenhauer said the city already mows the other two lots next to it, so what are a few more feet to mow?

“We had no choice with the agreement,” he said.

Eisenhauer sees the lots as someday marketable as the recession ends and businesses look again to expand.

As for other previously-owned Renaissance properties, the vacant property at 118 Payne St. will be demolished and a West Downtown Planning Group, consisting of neighbors and Danville Planning and Zoning Manager Chris Milliken, are working on restoration plans for the other properties.

The city took over the Renaissance program earlier this year to continue the non-profit group’s blight removal and neighborhood redevelopment efforts in the West Downtown Neighborhood.

Also Wednesday, the public services committee will consider authorizing:

-- An agreement for reinsurance coverage and retention of self-insurance plan administrator.

-- An agreement extension for the flexible spending program.

-- The purchase of food trays and carts for the jail kitchen.

COMING UP

The city council’s Public Services Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main St. The meeting follows the City/County Public Safety Building Committee meeting at 6 p.m.

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City must pay for vacant property

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