TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2025
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
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Authority to pay final just compensation in the amount of $582,000.00 to acquire the real estate commonly known as 15305 Myrtle Avenue and 15307 Myrtle Avenue in Harvey, Illinois, for the Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin and Separate Storm Sewer Improvements in Harvey, Illinois (Contract 18-249-AF), Account 501-50000-667330, Stormwater Management Fund
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Dear Sir:
On February 2, 2023, the Board of Commissioners (“Board”) authorized the District to negotiate and enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the City of Harvey (“City”) for the Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin and Separate Storm Sewer Improvements in Harvey (Contract 18-249-AF) (“Project”). Under the IGA, the District will complete the property acquisition, design, and construction, while the City will be responsible for long-term ownership and maintenance of the properties and improvements.
On April 20, 2023, the Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. R23-001 (“Ordinance”) establishing the right-of-way for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Project. The Project includes the creation of an approximately 23-acre-foot stormwater detention basin along Myrtle Avenue, between 153rd Street and 154th Street, to provide flood storage, as well as the installation of approximately 9,650 feet of storm sewer to convey stormwater to the proposed basin and allow discharge into the Wood Street storm sewer system. The proposed improvements will provide flood reduction benefits to approximately 209 structures.
Said 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.
The Project requires the acquisition of 31 parcels, which include a combination of residential and vacant properties. Two of those properties are owned by Joe Poole, located at 15305 Myrtle Avenue and 15307 Myrtle Avenue in Harvey, Illinois (MWRD Parcels 17 and 18). Parcel 17 includes 8,251± square feet of land and a single-family home with 1,170± square feet of gross building area. The parcel is currently occupied by a tenant. Parcel 18 includes 8,251± square feet of land and a single-family home with 2,306± square feet of gross building area.
The District and the owner have reached a negotiated settlement for the purchase of both properties in the amount of $582,000.00, inclusive of all relocation costs that the owner and tenant are entitled to under the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (“URA”). It is the opinion of the General Counsel and Special Counsel, Neal & Leroy, LLC, that this amount is within the range of value for the properties based on fair market value appraisals obtained by the District. The District and the owners will be finalizing the settlement in court commonly known as a friendly condemnation proceeding to ensure clear title is transferred and to enable the owner and tenant to receive the just compensation payment and relocation costs in a timely manner.
Accordingly, it is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it adopt the following orders:
1. That the Board authorize payment of final just compensation in the amount of $582,000.00 to acquire the real estate commonly known as 15305 Myrtle Avenue and 15307 Myrtle Avenue in Harvey, Illinois, for the Central Park Stormwater Detention Basin and Separate Storm Sewer Improvements in Harvey, Illinois (Contract 18-249-AF).
2. 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 settlement through appropriate court proceedings and to attain possession of said property.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel and Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering; STM:CAO:BJD:MSZ:vp
Recommended, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for March 20, 2025
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