The City of Galesburg will soon seek bids for the redevelopment of 13 vacant city-owned lots around town.
Sale of any of the properties would eliminate the need for city maintenance of the properties—such as weed mowing—and at the same time place properties back on the property tax roll.
Any proceeds from the sale would be deposited in the Property Redevelopment Fund to allow continued funding for future foreclosures.
City Council members on Monday will consider an ordinance in order to initiate the possible sale of the 13 lots. Monday’s meeting is set for 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Prospective buyers have two options for bidding. The first, a Development Plan bid, requires detailed plans for the property’s use within two years of purchase—such as expanding an adjacent yard, provided the bidder owns neighboring land. This option gives the City Council leverage to prioritize proposals based on vision, not just price. If the buyer fails to follow through, the city can reclaim the property, with the buyer forfeiting half their purchase price.
The second option, a No Development Plan bid, offers buyers the flexibility to purchase a property without submitting redevelopment plans. To ensure accountability, it includes a five-year reversion clause: if the city must step in to resolve nuisance issues—such as overgrown weeds—during that time, ownership will transfer back to the city.
The minimum bid for either option is set at $100.
If the ordinance is approved, bids would be accepted until June 2, when they’ll be opened at the City Council meeting, followed by a review the next day.
City-owned properties
Tract 1
Lot Eight in the Canfield Subdivision of Lots Three and Ten of Revenue Plat of 1913 of Lots One, Two, Three and Four of the Subdivision of 1899 of the Southeast Quarter of Section Sixteen, Township Eleven North, Range One East of the Fourth Principal Meridian, situated in the City of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 711 Avenue A
Parcel Number: 9916429001
Tract 2
Lot 8 in Block 95 in the Second Southern Addition to the City of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot south of 40 W. Second St. (No Direct Road Access)
Parcel Number: 9915407010
Tract 3
The North Half of Sub Lot Twelve in the Subdivision of the North part of Original Lot One in Block One in Harding’s Addition to the City of Galesburg, In the County of Knox, State of Illinois
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 314 S. Henderson
Parcel Number: 9916279016
Tract 4
Lot 40 in Block 117 in the Second Southern Addition to the City of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois. As per Plat thereof recorded in Volume 2 of Plats, page 93, excepting the East 2 feet thereof.
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 359 S. Henderson
Parcel Number: 9915151012
Tract 5
All that part of Lot 7 in the subdivision of Lots 5, 6 and 7 in Block 2 of the original Plat of Leonard’s Addition to the City of Galesburg, bounded by a line commencing at the Northeast corner of Lot 14 in said Subdivision; running thence East along the south line of Lot 7 to the Northeast corner of Lot 15, in said subdivision, being the Southeasterly cornerof said Lot 7; running thence Northwesterly along the Easterly line of said Lot 7, to the southerly line of Monmouth Boulevard, formerly known as Monmouth Street; running thence Southwesterly along the Southern Line of Monmouth Boulevard, 33 feet; thence southeasterly on a line parallel with the easterly line of Lot 7, 115 feet; thence in a straight line to the place of beginning; together with the subject line to the use of a perpetual joint driveway 8 fett in width extending from the southerly line of Monmouth Boulevard 115 feet, In a southerly direction, the center line of said driveway to be the line extending from said Monmouth Boulevard 115 feet, as above described, to be used as a perpetual joint driveway for the benefit of that part of said sublot 7 hereby conveyed and the remainder of said sublet meridian, situated in the County of Knox, and State of Illinois.
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 574 Monmouth Blvd.
Parcel Number: 9915155011
Tract 6
A parcel of land described as beginning at the Southwest corner of Original Lot 5 in Block 7 of the Original Town of the City of Galesburg, running thence North 53 feet, thence East 7 rods, thence South 53 feet, thence West 7 rods to the place of beginning, situated in the City of Galesburg, County of Knox and State of Illinois.
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 215 N. Academy
Parcel Number: 9910381012
Tract 7
The East 34 feet of the West ½ Lot 7 in Block 65 of the City of Galesburg, situated in the County of Knox and State of Illinois.
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 782 E. Berrien
Parcel Number: 9914178005
Tract 8
The North 39 feet of Lot 17 of a subdivision of Lot 14 of Green’s Subdivision of Original Lots 9, 10 & 11 of Block 64 of First Southern Addition to Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 372 Day
Parcel Number: 9914176036
Tract 9
Lot 14 in Sheldon Allen’s Subdivision of Five Acre Lot 10 in the City of Galesburg, situated in the County of Knox and the State of Illinois
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly 215 S. Pearl
Parcel Number: 9914128006
Tract 10
The North 35 feet of Lot 7 and the South 5 feet of the South 66 feet of Lot 6 in Block 5 in Frost’s Addition to the City of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 213 Pine
Parcel Number: 9914204028
Tract 11
Lot 31 of the Subdivision of Lots 16, 17, and 18 of Green and McCoy’s Addition to the City of Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, per Plat recorded in Volume 5 of Plats, page 152.
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 58 N. Pearl
Parcel Number: 9911378001
Tract 12
Lot 10 in B.F. Arnolds Addition to the City of Galesburg, being Lot 10 in the Subdivision of Original 10 Acre Lot 5 in the City of Galesburg, situated in the County of Knox, and the State of Illinois.
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly 179 Lincoln
Parcel Number: 9911380009
Tract 13
Lot 23 of a Re-subdivision of original Lots 1, 2 and 3 of Block 2, in Summit Addition to the City of Galesburg, situated in the County of Knox and State of Illinois
Commonly known as: Vacant Lot formerly known as 1409 E. Main
Parcel Number: 9911480015
