09/06/2007 | Community Development Authority Officially Declares Property Blighted
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During a September 5 meeting, the Pleasant Prairie Community Development Authority (CDA) officially adopted a resolution declaring a property located at the corner of 91st Street and 22nd Avenue to be blighted. The CDA will now refer the matter on to the Pleasant Prairie Village Board for their consideration. If the Village Board approves the resolution, the Village Plan Commission will then determine what redevelopment at the site may occur.
The CDA prepared a Blight Determination Study, which included findings from Phase I and II, Environmental Assessments performed by Drake Environmental, Inc. The findings showed tetrachloroethene to be contaminating both the soil and the groundwater at the property. Tetrachloroethene is a chemical solvent commonly used in dry cleaning. In addition to the results of the environmental study, other factors leading to the determination of blight were: substandard and deteriorating structure, unsanitary and unsafe conditions, and a combination of similar factors.
The existing factors affecting the determination of blight impair the sound growth of the Village, are considered an economic and social liability, and are a menace to public health and welfare. The building is currently vacant and was formerly a 5-unit strip mall. The property has been negatively affected by fire damage, water damage, mold growth in the walls and ceiling tile, vandalism, dumping, exposure to the elements and general deterioration.
A Developer has proposed plans to cleanup the contaminants, install improvements on the property and construct 12 condominium units. The Village has proposed a Tax Increment District to aid the Developer in cleaning up the site. Through the TID, the Developer would be solely responsible for financing the project and could repay his loan with tax collected from the property until the debt was satisfied. The Village would bear no financial responsibility for the cleanup and redevelopment at the site. Without the creation of the Tax Increment District, the site would remain in its current state of contamination and disrepair. To view photos of the exterior and interior of the property, please see the PDF below.
Blight (1).pdf