TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to purchase 15.82 acres of real estate and acquire a 0.91-acre temporary easement located west of the Ridgewood Memorial Cemetery at the intersection of Dee Road and Central Road in Maine Township, Illinois for the construction of the Flood Control Project on Central Road from the Des Plaines River to Glenwood Lane in Maine Township and Northfield Township, Illinois (Contract 14-065-5F), and authority for payment to the owner, Ridgewood Cemetery Company, Inc., in an amount of $8,150,000.00, plus closing costs. Account 501-50000-667330, Stormwater Management Fund (As Revised)
Body
Dear Sir:
On March 3, 2022, the Board of Commissioners (“Board”) adopted Ordinance No. R22-001 (“Ordinance”) establishing the right-of-way for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Flood Control Project on Central Road from the Des Plaines River to Glenwood Lane, NSA (Contract 14-065-5F) (“Project”). The Ordinance authorized and directed the Executive Director to negotiate with the respective owners to acquire fee simple title or such lesser interests, as appropriate, in and to the real estate described in the Ordinance.
On September 1, 2022, the Board authorized the District to negotiate and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the Northfield Township Road District (“Road District”) for the Project. Under the IGA, the District will be responsible for the design and construction of the Project, while the Road District will be responsible for the long-term ownership and maintenance of the properties and improvements. The Project involves new storm sewers, a new outlet to the Des Plaines River, a new detention facility, and other drainage improvements along Central Road, Dearlove Road, Glenwood Lane, Glendale Road, Glenshire Road, and Hillside Road. The proposed improvements will provide flood reduction benefits to approximately 114 single-family and multi-family structures. A separate IGA is being negotiated with the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) for the proposed project improvements within IDOT right-of-way on Central Road and Dearlove Road, which will also receive flood reduction benefits.
The Project requires the acquisition of a vacant property located west of the Ridgewood Memorial Cemetery in unincorporated Maine Township, Illinois. The property is owned by Ridgewood Cemetery Company, Inc. (“Owner”). The property has a gross area of 28 acres, of which the District requires a fee simple interest of 15.82 acres and an adjacent 0.91-acre temporary easement. The property is needed for the construction of the Project’s detention facility.
The District and the Owner have reached a negotiated settlement for the purchase of the property in the amount of $8,150,000.00. It is the opinion of the General Counsel that this amount is within the range of value for the property based on fair market value appraisals obtained by the District and the Owner. Settlement of this matter will save the District substantial costs that would otherwise be required to file a condemnation complaint, including attorney’s fees and expert witness fees. Since the property has no structures or improvements, no relocation costs are anticipated.
Accordingly, it is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it adopt the following orders:
1. That the subject property be purchased by the District for the amount of $8,150,000.00, plus closing costs;
2. That the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the contract for said purchase, after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality;
3. That the General Counsel be authorized and directed to execute and deliver all other documents and take such other actions as may be necessary to effectuate said purchase and to attain possession of said property.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel and Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, STM:CAO:BJD:KHY: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 March 19, 2026
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