TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 19, 2008
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Richard Lanyon, General Superintendent
Title
Authorization to Commence Statutory Procedures to Sell Approximately Twelve (12) Acres of District Real Estate Located South of 9th Street, in Will County, Illinois; Main Channel Atlas Index Parcel 15.03 (Deleted by the General Superintendent)
Body
Dear Sir:
The Law Department has received a request from Midwest Generation to purchase its current leasehold comprising approximately twelve (12) acres of District real estate located south of 9th Street in Will County, Illinois. Midwest Generation’s leasehold is buttressed between two Will County Forest Preserve leasehold sites. This site has been occupied by Midwest Generation under a 50-year lease that expires June 30, 2008. Midwest Generation is paying an annual rent of $42,000.00.
The site is approximately 4800 feet by 110 feet and contains a rail spur and electrical transmission lines. Midwest Generation intends to continue to use the property in conjunction with adjacent property owned by Midwest Generation that it uses to manufacture power.
Midwest Generation is in the process of preparing environmental reports to document and assess whether any environmental conditions exist at the site.
The subject parcel (15.03), along with parcels 14.01, 14.03, 15.01 and 15.06 have been designated as part of a critical habitat for the Hines Emerald Dragonfly under the Endangered Species Act. A sale of the land rather than the continued leasing of it is therefore recommended, due to the site’s limited marketability to other third parties, its location in Will County, and the potential impact of any future use of the site to the habitat of the Hines Emerald Dragonfly. Staff is not aware of any specific regulation precluding a sale; however, the restrictions on use, i.e., disturbing the species, would “run with the land”.
The District’s technical departments have reviewed this purchase request and have no technical objections to a sale. There is not any foreseeable corporate use for the site.
It is requested that the General Superintendent recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and direct the Attorney to commence statutory procedures to sell approximately twelve (12) acres of District real estate located south of 9th Street, in Will County, Illinois; Main Channel Atlas Index Parcel No. 15.03, upon the terms and conditions set forth above.
Requested, Frederick M. Feldman, Attorney, FMF:CL:STM:sd
Recommended, Richard Lanyon, General Superintendent
Respectfully Submitted, Terrence J. O’Brien, Chairman Committee on Real Estate Development
ORDERED passed by affirmative roll call vote of a majority of the Commissioners present this June 19, 2008. Approved, President Terrence J. O’Brien
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