Bolander Park sale agreement extended

Libertyville officials have extended an agreement to sell Bolander Park for $2.05 million but the proposed buyer, Lake Forest developer Rick Swanson, says he is ready to proceed with a 56-unit Craftsman-style townhouse development. A year ago the village board approved a real estate agreement with Swanson for the 5-acre park and associated buildings - but has extended the deal several times as Swanson investigated the suitability of the site. Testing revealed the presence of contaminated soil that requires removal and the village board agreed to give Swanson a credit of $221,570 toward the purchase price. The village parks and recreation offices and other facilities have been located on the site since 1998. "It's taken longer than we all expected but I believe we're there," Swanson said.