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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Patrick J. Collins, Assistant Corporation Counsel
DATE: April 28, 2026
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned commercial property located at 1531 E. New York St., Aurora, IL 60505.
PURPOSE:
Attached is a resolution authorizing the divestment of City owned commercial property located at 1531 E. New York St. (Permanent Index Number 15-24-352-028) to 1515 New Yok, LLC. for $28,000.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016 the City of Aurora began the process of divesting City Owned property to adjacent neighbors in order to reduce our inventory of vacant land. The City expanded that divestment process to reduce the City’s overall inventory of vacant buildable lots. Working with multiple City departments, including Mayor’s Office, Planning & Zoning, Revenue & Collections, Financing, Property Standards, Economic Development, Engineering, Building & Permits, Public Works, Parks & Recreations, the Law Department, and Dolan & Murphy, Inc. all worked in conjunction to identify vacant buildable City owned lots to then market and sell the lots for development.
DISCUSSION:
In March 2025, the City listed the property for sale with Dolan & Murphy, Inc. for $60,000.
The City Council previously approved the sale of this property for $50,000. However, the buyer canceled the contract, because the limited size of the lot renders the parcel unbuildable. Subsequently, the City sought out the neighboring property owner for a potential purchase.
This time around, the City negotiated back and forth with the neighboring property owner and agreed to the price of $28,000, which is below asking price and appraised value. However, selling the property to the neighbor is the highest and best use for this property as no other reasonable buyer can develop the property. The buyer intends to expand its neighboring automobile dealership operations
The property is currently exempt from real estate taxes, and the City is incurring maintenance and landscaping fees.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Property will be back on the tax roll, and the current neighboring business will be expanded. The City will no longer have to maintain the property. There is no other logical buyer for the subject property.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the divestment and sale of City owned property located at 1531 E. New York St., Aurora, IL 60505.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the authority granted to it under the Illinois Constitution, the laws of the State of Illinois, and the common law, the City has the authority to sell the real property, and appurtenances attached thereto, commonly known as 1531 E. New York St., Aurora, Illinois, having Permanent Index Number 15-24-352-028 (“Subject Property”); and
WHEREAS, the purchaser of the Subject Property (“Buyer”) desires to purchase the Subject Property from the City; and
WHEREAS, the Corporate Authorities have determined that the sale of the Subject Property to the neighboring property owner is the highest and best use for the Subject property; and
WHEREAS, the Corporate Authorities have determined that the sale of the Subject Property by the City is for a reasonable price and in the best interests of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1: That the Preambles set forth above shall be and are hereby incorporated in Section 1 herein, as if restated herein.
SECTION 2: That the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign and execute the Contract for the sale of the Subject Property, any minor amendments to the Contract made hereinafter shall be subject to approval of the Mayor without further action of the City Council.
SECTION 3: That the Mayor, or Mayor’s designee, City Clerk, City Treasurer and Corporation Counsel are further authorized to execute any and all additional documents necessary to complete the sale of the Subject Property following approval of this Resolution.
SECTION 4: This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption and approval as required by law.