TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 19, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a 5-year permit to Ford Motor Company for the continued use of District real estate located at 122nd Street and Stony Island Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, known as the Stony Island Drying Beds, for the temporary storage of newly manufactured vehicles and related purposes. Consideration shall be a monthly permit fee of $111,430.00, subject to upward adjustments in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein
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Dear Sir:
On November 4, 2010, the Board of Commissioners authorized a permit to Ford Motor Company (“Ford”) to use District real estate located at 122nd Street and Stony Island Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, known as the Stony Island Drying Beds, for the temporary storage of new vehicles manufactured at its nearby Ford Assembly Plant. Previously, the site had been used by the District for activities related to processing biosolids, but it is not presently needed for such purposes. For operational and identification purposes, the site is divided into fourteen (14) cells comprising 87.15± acres and includes an administration building and wash bays. The permit, as extended, expires May 3, 2026.
Ford has requested to continue using the site under a new 5-year permit because of the high demand for its vehicles. The site’s proximity to Ford’s Assembly Plant, its size, and its flat surface continue to make this site desirable for Ford’s use. Ford previously requested a long-term lease of the property. However, a long-term lease is not feasible due to the possibility that the site may again be required for the District’s corporate use. A permit is an alternative to a long-term lease and is appropriate in this circumstance because it allows the District the flexibility to coordinate Ford’s use of the site with District corporate needs, and to terminate the agreement for any reason with 90 days’ notice.
The new permit will allow Ford to continue using cells 1 and 2 (north and south), cell 3 north, cell 5 (north and south), and cell 8 (administration building and wash bays), comprising a total of 50.65± acres, for a monthly permit fee of $111,430.00. Ford may use additional cells for an additional monthly fee of $2,200 per acre, if available and approved by the District. Ford has consistently requested and used additional cells over the duration of the current permit.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a 5-year permit to Ford Motor Company for the continued use of District real estate located at 122nd Street and Stony Island Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, known as the Stony Island Drying Beds, for the temporary storage of newly manufactured vehicles and related purposes. Consideration shall be a monthly permit fee of $111,430.00, subject to upward adjustments in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein.
It is further requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said permit after same is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:NOC:vp
Recommended, John P. Murray, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for February 19, 2026
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