Jacob & Klein Attorneys at Law Ltd. and The Economic Development Group Ltd. will be named next week to handle the development of Macomb’s STAR Bond district. The two firms work together specializing as a single service provider for the creation and administration of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and other innovative business incentives such as Business Development Districts. City Administrator Scott Coker told aldermen at Monday’s City Council Committee of the Whole session that this is the next step in the process of developing Macomb’s sports complex.
Jacob & Klein would coordinate establishment of the STAR Bond district and the appointment of a master developer.
Coker said the Bloomington firm has worked with Macomb in the development of all of its TIF districts. Jacob & Klein would be paid a $48,500 professional services fee, plus up to $3,000 in reimbursable expenses, for preparing all reports and providing legal advice to the city.
Jacob & Klein provided aldermen with a timetable for development of the STAR Bond district: on Oct. 19, the City Council will discuss the district plan and setting a public hearing on the project; on Oct. 23, mailings would be sent to all businesses and individuals residing in the proposed district; on Oct. 30, a STAR Bond plan would be submitted to council, and on Nov. 4, the council would send public notice for a Nov.
27 public hearing.
The development consultant said following the public hearing, the council would meet Dec. 7 to approve a resolution establishing the STAR Bond district and appointing a master developer, and the work would be sent to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Dec. 14. The purpose of the STAR Bond district is “to attract and promote major tourism, entertainment, and retail business.”
Also this week, aldermen discussed preparation of an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for the renovation of Chandler Park. Coker said the OSLAD grant could provide up to $600,000 toward the city’s $3 million redevelopment project. Alderman Byron Shabazz said, “The park is a welcoming center to families, and to visitors who drive into Macomb.” Coker said the goal of the project is “to refresh this park after 50 years.”
Another project discussed Monday was needed work on the public safety alley that serves the Macomb Police and Fire departments and the McDonough County Jail. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said $23,400 is budgeted for IMEG to redesign the alley for concrete replacement, with construction costs to be determined next year. She said the current limited availability of concrete has pushed the project into 2027.
