A former Citgo gas station at 2124 183rd St. that’s been vacant for more than five years was purchased by Homewood. The sale was approved at the June 22 village board meeting.
The village believes the property, previously owned by the Cook County Land Bank Authority, could be a valuable piece of commercial real estate. It’s located at the intersection with Morris Avenue in a business district.
Homewood hopes to market the property to a new business.
“I’m excited that we’re in a position to acquire this property in a really important physical position in our village,” Trustee Barbara Dawkins said. “Hopefully we can make something good of that location. It’s really an eyesore right now.”
TriCore Environmental LLC to facilitate the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Leaking Underground Storage Tank program to facilitate the necessary cleanup. The IEPA reimburses remediation costs and issues an all-clear letter when the work is finished through the program.
The gas storage tanks were removed from the site in November 2017.
Homewood has to buy the property in order for the property to qualify for LUST. The work may include drilling, excavation, disposal, destruction, engineering, concrete work and other tasks.
The village will pay CCLBA $40,000, funded through the Tax Increment Financing District where the former gas station is located.
In other business, the board approved a lobbying contract with Maren Ronan for $3,000 per month through the end of the year. Ronan’s father, prominent Springfield broker Al, has had health issues and isn’t able to finish his contract. Maren Ronan is taking over his client list.