Open space group opens more talks on Hobson West site

A group of Naperville residents isn't giving up its fight to create a park between the Hobson West ponds.

The Save Open Space group, led by Doug Dallmer, is calling for the Naperville Park District and Crestview Builders to reopen negotiations that abruptly came to an end last week for the 6 acres.

Dallmer says a great deal of time and effort has gone into trying to reach a deal and it appeared the sides were close.

"To see it fall apart because of a technicality that should be negotiable in my mind, then to take strong position of we're at impasse and terminating discussions, seems unfortunate," he said.

The park district owns two ponds that make up 9 acres of the site between Plainfield-Naperville Road and West Street. Residents have been pushing for it to buy the 6 acres in between to create a park, instead of townhouses as it is currently zoned.

But in the end, the park district and Crestview couldn't reach agreement on the legal details of the sale.

Crestview offered to sell part of the land for $2.5 million, which is what the park district offered for the entire parcel. But the rest of the land would be held in escrow for two years, then given to the park district as a donation that Crestview could claim on its taxes.

But the park district's attorneys called the donation "legally unenforceable" and park commissioners closed the negotiations.

Crestview made the details of those negotiations public earlier this week. At that time, attorney Craig Cobine said doing so was not meant to reopen talks and he wouldn't speculate as to whether either side would be interested in that prospect.

When asked Wednesday whether the matter was over, board President Suzanne Hart, who has been a supporter of purchasing the land, said: "I hope it's not 100 percent over, but do I think it is? I do."

But Dallmer said Friday he feels there is still room for the two sides to reach an agreement.

"I have talked to a couple other lawyers and they say yes, this is not a standard transaction, but it is not an unusual one, either, so certainly all of the T's can be crossed and I's dotted," he said. "Certainly it's something that could be resolved."

He plans to e-mail Save Open Space group members, now up to about 350 to 400 people, encouraging them to write letters to the editor and to e-mail the parties involved in the deal.

The group also is hoping to get a referendum on the November ballot asking taxpayers to help in purchasing open space around Naperville. Dallmer said he will address the park board at an upcoming meeting to ask for their support.