The city is looking to purchase several vacant lots in the middle of downtown Galesburg with hopes of redeveloping the brownfields into “a viable and productive use.”
The three-parcel brownfield located at 332 E. Ferris St. and 57 N. Kellogg St. — site of the former Knox Laundry — came under the control of Knox County Trustee in 2008 and 2009.
City Manager Eric Hanson and Director of Community Development Steve Gugliotta recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the purchase of the above-mentioned parcels from the Knox County Trustee. The Knox County Trustee has agreed to convey the properties to the city of Galesburg for $813 each. The purchase price is based on the minimum cost of acquisition and conveyance through the county’s Tax Liquidation Process.
Gugliotta tells WGIL, “These parcels have sat vacant and underutilized for a number of years due to the environmental contamination, and if it is not addressed the future use of these parcels will remain the same.
“The goal is to change that direction by putting ourselves in the best possible position for the EPA Brownfields Multi-Purpose Grant that we anticipate will be open for applications later this year.”
Gugliotta said it is anticipated the EPA will open the application phase for its Multi-Purpose grant later this year and ownership of these lots is necessary to be eligible to apply.
Aldermen considered the resolution at Monday’s City Council meeting.
According to the agenda item, the parcels had a dry-cleaning operation from the late 1800s to about 2007 when the city demolished the dilapidated structures via a court order. The city spent $154,851.04 to demolish the Knox Laundry building.
In 2023, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) conducted a Targeted Brownfield Assessment of these parcels at no cost to the city, other than a fee to a consultant to prepare a Work Plan. This work provided the necessary information for the IEPA to assign a project manager, which is a necessary step to move forward with potential grant applications.