Block 59 business district approved; land sale to fitness center tabled; council to revisit bidder rules – Chicago Tribune
The Naperville City Council is moving forward with a plan to create a business district along Aurora Avenue near Route 59 that will fund infrastructure improvements for a shopping area being redeveloped into an upscale dining and entertainment destination.
The city is expected to place an added 1% tax on sales made at the businesses within the district that includes the Heritage Square and the eastern portion of the Westridge Court shopping centers.
The council has directed staff to prepare the ordinances establishing the district and the tax for approval next month.
Property owner Brixmor Property Group plans to demolish all but two of the existing buildings — the Lazy Dog Restaurant at 436 S. Route 59 and the property housing the Burn Boot Camp at 476 S. Route 59 — and construct 11 new buildings as part of its Block 59 restaurant and entertainment complex.
The cost to rebuild the infrastructure and create a four-season plaza for concerts and skating would be funded by the added tax.
Block 59 has the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The sale of 12.55 acres of city-owned property at 103rd Street and Route 59 to Lifetime Fitness was tabled this week to work out details for the agreement.
Mayor Steve Chirico said LTF Real Estate requested the vote be postponed until March 7.
Agreement details released by the city shows the company would purchase the land for $12 a square foot for a total of $6.56 million. Seven positive votes are required for the sale to be approved.
Bill Novack, director of transportation, engineering and development, said in a memo the offer of $12 per square foot was the highest price ever for the property.
Naperville in the coming month will revisit enacting a responsible bidder ordinance that establishes minimum standards for all bidders to be eligible to submit bids or respond to a request for proposal.
The measure failed in September because the council vote was split at 4-4.
The sticking point for some members is the requirement that all bidders and their subcontractors participate in active apprenticeship and training programs approved and registered with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship.
Those in favor, such as union laborers, argue the ordinance produces safer and higher quality work because of the apprenticeship requirements.
Those opposed, like the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, say it prevents nonunion companies and their subcontractors from bidding because they may not have training programs.
City staff said the ordinance isn’t needed because of the Naperville’s already stringent contract language, existing state requirements for public works and a diligent inspection process.
Responsible bidder measures have been approved by the county boards and forest preserve districts in both DuPage and Will counties.
