Glen Ellyn to gain, sell land for water facility

Glen Ellyn will acquire land near five corners, then sell it to fund the development of a regional storm water facility at Ackerman Park.

Officials agreed Tuesday night to obtain a water detention facility just north of the Walgreens along Main Street. When the property owner purchased the land, it was required they deed the property to the village in the future.

The village now will auction off the property in hopes of getting about $450,000. All proceeds will be used to fund the regional storm water facility at Ackerman Park.

The Glen Ellyn Park District donated the property at Ackerman Park for the facility, so the project should cost the village nothing.

Planning and Development Director Staci Hulseberg said the new facility would take care of additional storm water that might be needed in the future as Stacy Corner develops more.

The facility at Ackerman Park will serve as a detention for Walgreens, Stacy Park, the commercial area northeast of Five Corners and Ackerman Park. If all goes smoothly, the project should begin as soon as possible, and the regional facility will be completed by June 2008.

The parcel of land the village sells to fund the project will most likely be turned into another commercial development.

From the project, the park district will get two soccer fields, one of which will serve as a retention facility. The village gets more retail property that could be developed and a pricey project at no cost. And the property owner will get storm water accessibility and additional commercial property, which should create more synergy.

"Everyone will benefit (from the project)," Hulseberg said.