Lisle moves to purchase properties across from PrairieWalk Pond

Lisle is poised to spend more than $1.15 million to buy strategically located properties across from the PrairieWalk Pond and a splash water park.

Village trustees have approved a pair of purchase and sale agreements with the owners of two remaining privately held properties along Garfield Avenue, just west of downtown Main Street.

“We own all the real estate up and down the east side of Garfield Avenue, as it is, with the exception of these two properties,” Village Manager Jeffrey Cook said. “So there was an initiative from the board to consolidate that, which would allow ample opportunity to conduct a larger planning process over what that can be and what the future may hold there.”

The village holds contingencies over moving forward if it’s unable to secure both properties, Cook said. The closing is expected to occur before the end of the year, unless otherwise extended, per a board memo.

Under the agreements, the village would pay $830,000 for the property at 4703 Garfield Ave. The land also has frontage on Ogden Avenue and contains a roughly 3,400-square-foot garage.

Additionally, the village would pay $325,000 for the property with a single-family residence painted white at 4707 Garfield Ave.

“I don't want us to sit on it. I think we have our downtown master plan,” said Trustee Thomas Duffy, adding that “our job is to execute it.”

The PrairieWalk trail runs around a pond with a series of fountains and shores lined with well-established native plantings. The village previously acquired properties that facilitated the construction of the pond and the Dragonfly Landing playground and splash pad, as well as future development opportunity sites, according to the memo.

“Consolidation of ownership always is a good thing when the village is looking for long-term planning, as you might want to do in an area, particularly a flood-prone area like this one,” Cook said. “But as you get further north, when you get near the splash pad and other amenities there, you do get out into some buildable locations as well.”

The downtown master plan notes PrairieWalk Pond was part of efforts to mitigate flooding. The plan, as written, floated a potential expansion that would better integrate the park space into the downtown and make it more visible from Burlington Avenue.

“It also contributes to enhancing the redevelopment potentials for properties on the east side of Garfield Avenue,” the plan stated. “These properties would now have a coveted park view and serve as the ideal transition” to Main Street and the downtown.

Trustee Michael Olson suggested officials consider an RFP, or request for proposals, process to ultimately determine what is the best programming for the pond and any of the other land that is owned by the village within the downtown.

“I think that part of the plan and vision is most likely unlocking some other parcels that aren't in the flood plain that may have higher EAV once put back on the tax rolls, and ultimately trying to find a way to best program Garfield pond,” Olson said.

“For better or worse, I think it's effectively a town square. It may not be exactly ideal, because it also serves as stormwater storage, but ultimately, those are the decisions that were made, and you play the hand that was dealt.”

Trustees also have authorized related budget amendments that provide funding for demolition, restoration and ancillary expenses associated with the property purchases, including environmental assessments.