At Monday’s Macomb Council City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, aldermen discussed voting on a resolution at the March 16 council meeting stating the possibility of a purchase agreement of the 30-acre Jackson Crossing at East Jackson Street and Bower Road as the site of a sports complex.
City Attorney Lisa Scalf explained the resolution is not the same as an ordinance to purchase the site for $2 million. In an earlier Community News Brief story, on the agenda for Monday night’s committee meeting was the purchase of the property at East Jackson and Bower Road for $2 million from Jackson, LLC of Peoria. The agreement allows the city an extended period of due diligence up to Aug. 31, 2027. There will be no cost to the city if the complex does not proceed.
Mayor Mike Inman stressed at this time, there is no legal consideration (no money required to be paid up front). If the complex moves forward, the City of Macomb will pay Jackson LLC the $2 million purchase price, which is part of the overall costs.
City Administrator Scott Coker said at Monday’s meeting that a public forum is planned for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26 at the Spoon River College Outreach Center on East Jackson, directly across from the proposed Sports Complex property.
In other business, the Committee of the Whole discussed the possible purchase of a turf hydroseeder. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said her street operations division could save the cost of outsourcing by buying the equipment for $10,439. Ohrtmann noted the equipment would be in use each year from March through November, with lawn seeding done at Mavis Park, Thorpe Park, Oakwood Cemetery, Chandler Park and Compton Park. The public works director added that reseeding would be needed where water and sewer repairs are done, as well as lift station maintenance, follow-up on tree removals, and for exterior work at the water and sewer plants.
Aldermen also discussed voting next week on the publication of a new city map. Community Development Director Cesar Suarez told the group that city maps are updated every year, and three 2025 property annexations will be part of the new map.
