The Lutticken property belongs to the city of Pekin.
Mayor Mary Burress announced Monday at the start of a city council meeting the city had closed earlier in the day on its $14 million purchase of the property.
Burress called the sale a significant milestone and proud day for the city, adding hopes that naysayers about the sale will eventually change their minds.
The Luttiken property is about 1,000 acres of vacant land and farmland located between Illinois Route 98 and Sheridan Road in the northern part of Pekin that will be part of the future connection of Veterans Drive to Interstate 474 — a project that's been in the works since 1966.
The City of Pekin plans to sell the rest of the property for commercial and residential development. That process has begun with the planned $4.5 million sale of 321 acres for a data center. Another developer has shown an interest in housing projects, according to city officials.
Burress released a statement Monday about the sale that she read at the council meeting.
"This acquisition represents not only the culmination of months of collaboration, negotiation and due diligence, but also a bold step forward in our continued efforts to invest in the future of our city," she said.
"The Lutticken property, long considered a strategic and high-potential site, will now be brought under city ownership, opening new doors for development, revitalization and long-term economic benefit for the community.
"In the coming months, we'll begin engaging with stakeholders and residents to explore the best path forward for this property. As always, we remain committed to transparency, responsible planning, and delivering results that benefit the citizens of Pekin for generations to come."
The city originally agreed to pay Lutticken property owner Mary Jo Brundrett $14 million over four years starting in 2024 at 0% interest.
The sale was fast-tracked with the planned purchase of the land for the data center. The city will now take out a loan to buy the land and use the purchase money from land sales to make loan payments.
Council rejects 5 commercial building improvement grant requests
It's back to the drawing board for the city's new commercial building improvement grant program.
Five grant requests were tabled unanimously by the council Monday until its Aug. 25 meeting. If the grant requests return that night, they'll be voted on separately.
Council members were not happy with the prospective use of the five grants and the grant applications themselves. Each grant request had been scored by city staff based on its application, proposed improvements and economic impact, and vetted by the city's Economic Development Advisory Committee.
Phat Jax Custom Cycle, Pottsies Place and Tadoughs each was recommended for a $10,000 grant. Sangalli's Italian Steakhouse and TCRC both were recommended for a $5,000 grant.
Council member Jake Fletcher didn't think a floor remodeling project proposed by Tadoughs met the purpose of the grant.
"I don't see how that would improve their sales and benefit the community," he said. "If the grant was for a drive-up window or a van to deliver donuts, that would make more sense."
Council member Karen Hohimer said the Sangalli's request was more for upkeep than the building renovation being done this summer. Plus, she noted the city had helped the business with funding several times in the past.
As it stands now, a business can receive no more than $50,000 or 50% of eligible project expenses in a commercial building improvement grant. Total budget for the program for the 2025-26 fiscal year is $100,000.
The council vote for tabling the five grant requests was 6-0. Council member Rick Hilst did not attend the meeting.
Garbage tote storage change benefits 'average resident'
Pekin residents can now store garbage totes in front of their property.
Council unanimously approved the long-sought ordinance amendment on Monday. Totes stored in the front of a property must be within three feet of a structure such as a garage door and comply with other requirements.
Fletcher applauded the ordinance change.
"We decide a lot of things up here. This change will help the average resident, which is what we were elected to do," he said.
The vote on the ordinance amendment was 5-0-1.
Council member Peg Phillips recused herself from the discussion and vote. She stepped outside into the muggy evening after saying she hadn't read the ordinance nor talked about it with other council members.
"I'm going to have a cigarette, play on my phone, and drink my soda outside. Please text me when you're done," Phillips said as she left the council chambers at City Hall, eliciting laughter from the crowd at the meeting.
City wins legal battle to foreclose on dilapidated property on Court Street
In other news from Monday's council meeting:
• City Attorney Jim Vasselli announced that the city won its case in Tazewell County Court on Friday to begin foreclosure proceedings against the owners of the former Motel 6 and McCritters Bar & Grill building at 2801 Court St. Vasselli said the city ultimately hopes to demolish the eyesore building.
• Fletcher said he wanted to make the city aware that the grass is about three feet high and weeds are overgrown at the former Schwan's Ice Cream shop at 901 Brenkman Drive.
• Council member John Abel said he's heard compliments about the large flower pots that have been placed by the city along Derby Street.
• Council unanimously approved awarding contracts to low bidder Littleton Storm and Timber Services of Jacksonville to demolish homes at 1207 S. Third St., 203 Herget St. and 1400 Knapp St. for $21,000, $12,800 and $12,800, respectively.
• Council approved purchasing a 2024 Ford F250 from low bidder Gallery Ford of Pekin for $43,718. Some of the purchase price will be covered by about $18,000 in insurance money. The F250 will replace a 3/4-ton pickup that was totaled in an accident last year while the city's street department was doing road maintenance on Veterans Drive. The vote to purchase the F250 was 5-0-1 with council member Dave Nutter abstaining because he has a family member who works in the street department.
• Council unanimously approved a $26,399 agreement with Joe's Towing & Recovery of Pekin to transport the Pekin Fire Department's Engine 2 to Fire Trucks Unlimited in Las Vegas for refurbishment, and return the department's Tower 4 fire truck, a 100-foot platform aerial vehicle, back to Pekin fully refurbished.
• Council unanimously approved the city's Community Development Block Grant five-year plan and 2025 action plan. The documents are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development so the city can receive $2.4 million in CDBG funding over the next five years, including $685,000 for 2025, for the Pekin Police Department's social worker program, sidewalk rehabilitation, partial purchase of a new fire apparatus for Fire Station 3, demolition of dilapidated homes, and administration of the program.
• Council unanimously approved the appointment of Jim Golianis to the Pekin Liquor Commission for a two-year term, filling the unexpired term of Judy Heisel.
• Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and union representing street department workers regarding bereavement leave.
• Council unanimously approved variance requests by Rich Johnson and Sylvia Shults to allow Johnson to build a second driveway at 205 Sapp St., that would serve a second garage, and allow Shults to keep a shed and raised garden beds at 600 Market St.
