A former Galesburg school that was once the approved site for a potential community center could soon be back on the selling block.
The Galesburg City Council will consider on first reading Monday an ordinance that will direct the sale of the former Churchill Jr. High School, 905 Maple Ave. Interim City Manager John Schlaf, Director of Community Development Steve Gugliotta, the Code Compliance supervisor and purchasing agent recommend approval of the ordinance to sell the city-owned property.
If approved by aldermen at the Oct. 2 City Council meeting, Churchill would be listed for sale on Oct. 13. Bids would be due by Nov. 6 and Council members would review the bids at the Nov. 8 meeting.
City staff say the sale of the property would eliminate the need for city maintenance of the properties (i.e. weed mowing), and utility costs; and at the same time place the properties back on the property tax roll. Any proceeds from the sale are deposited in the Property Redevelopment Fund to allow continued funding for future foreclosures.
“Just about anytime a property has been offered for sale by the city and for some reason that property does not move, it’s not unusual to go back on the agenda, in effect, to start the process all over again,” Schlaf said.
The Request for Bid document must include a development plan bid. The purpose of the development plan bid is for the City to have more control over the proposed use of the property. The bidder submits detailed information on their plans for the property. A Development Plan bid option offers the City Council the ability to determine the best bid based upon the development proposed and not just the price.
Alderman will consider the ordinance on first reading at Monday’s meeting, set for 6 p.m. in City Council chambers at City Hall.
The former Churchill school building is approximately 90,000 square feet and the lot is approximately 14 acres. However, alderman agreed earlier this summer to not sell the green space to the north of the school.
The City is in the process of acquiring an appraisal for Churchill. Schlaf said the appraisal should be completed in the “next several weeks” and will provide additional information to prospective bidders.
Prior to awarding the bid for Churchill, the city must provide the Galesburg Community Unit School District No 205 the right of first refusal.
The city put Churchill up for bid in June, but the process yielded just one bid, which was ultimately rejected by aldermen in July.
In August, Extreme Car Wash Holdings, LLC — owned by Benedict — had submitted a bid of $100,000 to purchase a portion of the now city-owned property at 905 Maple Ave. Benedict, however, pulled his bid, saying the offer was contingent on the City Council expediting the process and approving his bid at the Aug. 7 Council meeting.
