Naperville park's Hobson West vote possible tonight
Naperville Park District leaders may decide tonight whether they will purchase land between the ponds in the Hobson West neighborhood.
The park board plans to discuss the issue in closed session and President Kristen Jungles said there is a possibility it will then be ready to take a public vote.
"The board making a decision on Hobson Ponds is long overdue," Jungles said Wednesday.
She said the board will need to consider whether buying the land would meet the community's needs and whether it fits with the district's draft Open Space and Recreation Master Plan, which is used to guide park district projects.
"It's about time the board has that dialogue in open session," Jungles said.
The six acres in question is between Plainfield-Naperville Road and West Street in the Hobson West neighborhood.
The park district already owns nine acres that make up two ponds on the site but for several years a group of residents has been pushing for it to purchase the additional land to create a 15-acre park.
If the park district doesn't buy the land, Crestview Builders plans to construct townhouses on it.
Price has been one of the factors stalling a decision. As of late January, the park district was offering $2.5 million for the land, but Crestview Builders wanted $4.1 million.
Park commissioners also are split on whether it would be a worthwhile purchase.
Proponents of buying the land have said Naperville needs more open space. Those opposed say the park district has greater needs, such as land that would be conducive to athletic fields.
Jungles, Commissioner Charlie Brown and Ron Wehrli of Crestview Builders met last week to discuss the land.
"Ron Wehrli has done amazing things for the community and knows the best interest of Naperville and the community are first and foremost, so we had good dialogue," Jungles said.
Kathy West, an attorney for Crestview Builders, declined comment on the negotiations.
Jungles would not discuss the specifics of the talks but will be sharing that information with the park board tonight in closed session.
Depending on how that discussion goes, the board may take a vote on whether to purchase the property.
Brown agreed the negotiations went well but would not say how he will vote.
"We have to discuss that because we have to present what Ron brought to us and see what the feelings of the board are," he said.
Either way, he said, it's time to put the issue to rest.
The park board meets at 6 p.m. today at its administration building, 320 W. Jackson Ave. Commissioners will begin in closed session for the first part of the meeting.
Hobson: Board unsure if purchase is worth it