TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 17, 2025
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authority to amend the permit agreement issued to Walsh Vinci Transit Community Partners on a portion of the District’s Calumet Water Reclamation Plant in Chicago, Illinois to allow the permittee to conduct soil borings. Consideration shall be a fee of $5,000.00
Body
Dear Sir:
On March 20, 2025, the Board of Commissioners authorized the issuance of a 9-month permit to Walsh Vinci Transit Community Partners (Walsh Vinci) to conduct a tree survey, general survey, and soil resistivity testing on a portion of the District’s Calumet Water Reclamation Plant (Calumet WRP). The permit commenced March 20, 2025 and expires December 19, 2025. Walsh Vinci is working on the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed CTA Red Line Extension project (Project), which extends the CTA’s Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street. When extended, the new railroad tracks will run near the Cottage Grove Avenue right-of-way on the eastern edge of the Calumet WRP.
Walsh Vinci has now requested to amend the permit to allow it to conduct additional due diligence activities relating to the Project, including soil borings in the permit area. The soil borings will be completed to a maximum depth of 25 feet below ground surface using a truck or track mounted drilling system or Geoprobe. All areas that are disturbed will be restored upon completion of the work.
The District’s technical departments have reviewed Walsh Vinci’s request to perform this additional work and have no objections thereto. A fee to amend the permit in the amount of $5,000.00 is recommended, as the pro rata share of 10% of the fair market value of the land would yield a fee less than the District's minimum permit fee of $5,000.00.
It is requested that the Acting Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize an amendment to the permit agreement issued to Walsh Vinci Transit Community Partners on a portion of the District’s Calumet Water Reclamation Plant in Chicago, Illinois to allow the permittee to conduct soil borings. Consideration shall be a fee of $5,000.00.
It is further requested that the Acting 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 agreement amendment after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:EMA:BJD:vp
Recommended, John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for July 17, 2025
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