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TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: The Law Department
DATE: October 10, 2019
SUBJECT:
Acquisition of the real property located at 104 S Lincoln Ave.
PURPOSE:
To acquire the real property located at 104 S Lincoln Ave. constituting the former Lincoln Masonic Temple.
BACKGROUND:
On October 7, 2019, the former Lincoln Masonic Temple was heavily damaged by a fire of unknown origin. Though the fire was confined to the area above its fifth floor, the entire structure is unsafe and poses an immediate danger to surrounding properties and City rights-of-way. Maria Vargas is the current owner of the property. Ms. Vargas had owned the property for several years until it was transferred to Kane County via tax deed this summer. Ms. Vargas recently reacquired the property from Kane County, but does not have the resources necessary to stabilize and demolish the building safely.
DISCUSSION:
The fire has already resulted in a partial collapse of the structure above the temple's fifth floor. This recent damage, in addition to a myriad of other structural problems caused or exacerbated by years of deferred maintenance, requires immediate action to demolish the building. While the City has the legal right to undertake the demolition and lien the property for the costs, there is no viable way that this process will result in the City recapturing any of the costs of associated with the undertaking from Ms. Vargas.
Ms. Vargas has agreed to issue the City a deed to the property in lieu of demolition which will ensure that the City has clear title to the real estate once the building has been removed.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
While the loss of the historic Masonic Temple is unfortunate, accepting title to its former site will provide the City with control over the redevelopment of a significant parcel of property near the downtown core and which can be used in the future to offset some of the costs associated with the demolition.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Council approve this r...
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