LRA holds off plans for buildings

Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

January 25, 2006 10:52 am

— SAVANNA, Ill. — The Jo-Carroll Local Redevelopment Authority Economic Development Committee took no action at Tuesday’s meeting on plans for the Illinois Natural History Survey to expand a field station at Eagles Landing Development, the site of the former Savanna Army Depot.
The committee considered a proposal from Daniel Wenny, associate research scientist with the INHS, to expand the field station to provide laboratories, classrooms and living space for visiting researchers and student groups.
In a letter to LRA Property Manager Mara Engaldo, Wenny said the field station would provide space for public presentations, programs and meetings. Wenny has submitted grant proposals to the National Science Foundation and the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation to fund the project. Both agencies declined funding at the time but have requested revised proposals to be considered during the next funding period.
In the letter, Wenny asked the LRA to consider transferring three buildings to the INHS because the agency funding cannot be used to buy decrepit buildings. He said INHS ownership of the two buildings would eliminate the purchase of new buildings, which he said was unrealistic under present circumstances, and would demonstrate LRA support of the field station and its intended uses.
Wenny said the ICE grant would be revised to include funds for buying 30 to 40 acres of land nearby to be used as a non-federal outdoor classroom. He said the community would benefit from the programs, other tenants would benefit from improvements to the decaying buildings and the LRA would benefit by lowering building maintenance responsibilities. Wenny added the people visiting the station could possibly patronize other on-site businesses.
Economic Development Committee Chairman Don Crawford said his recommendation would be to not give the INHS the three buildings at present, but to investigate the possible use of other buildings on the site. Crawford said giving the buildings to INHS would split a prime property that has a river view.