TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2013
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a 4-month permit extension to Albany Auto Sales to continue to access, use, and maintain a boat dock on approximately 2,009 square feet of District real estate located along the North Branch of the Chicago River adjacent to 4030 North Rockwell Street in Chicago. Consideration shall be $2,500.00
Body
Dear Sir:
Albany Auto Sales ("Albany") has occupied the subject premises under a series of permits since January 2004 for the purpose of accessing, using, and maintaining 2,009 square feet of real estate along the North Branch of the Chicago River for use as a boat dock in connection with its adjacent recreational watercraft and motor vehicle repair business located at 4030 North Rockwell Street in Chicago. The permit fee is $2,500.00 and the permit, as extended, expires February 28, 2013.
For several decades, Albany had been one of many property owners along the Chicago River using the channel bank and the prism of the North Branch of the Chicago River between Irving Park Road and Lawrence Avenue in Chicago for private purposes. After years of failed negotiations to resolve the unauthorized encroachments on and utilization of channel banks and the prism, Albany was only one of two owners willing to enter into a permit agreement with the District to continue to occupy the site. Ravenswood Boatyard LLC was the other party. It was recommended to the Board of Commissioners ("Board") that a more appropriate mechanism to allow continued use and occupancy of this property by a private entity is to enter into a long-term lease pursuant to the District's statutory leasing procedures and on June 7, 2012, the Board authorized the commencement of statutory leasing procedures for a 10-year lease. Albany has submitted a Plat of Survey and Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, which did not reveal any environmental conditions. Albany is now in the process of obtaining appraisals. A 4-month permit extension is therefore recommended to allow Albany continued use of the premises during the leasing procedures.
Because the site encompasses a small area of land and since appraisals have not yet been completed, the District's standard minimum document preparation fee of $2,500.00 is therefore recommended.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize the issuance of a 4-month permit extension to Albany Auto Sales to continue to access, use, and maintain a boat dock on approximately 2,009 square feet of District real estate located along the North Branch of the Chicago River adjacent to 4030 North Rockwell Street in Chicago. Consideration shall be $2,500.00.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to execute said permit extension agreement on behalf of the District after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel, RMH:STM:rg
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Chairman Committee on Real Estate Development
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for February 21, 2013
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