Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1986 [PAGE 567]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[May 8

(The student advisory vote was: Aye, Mr. Lamm; no, none; absent, Mr. Becker.)

Delegation of Authority to Acquire Real Estate, Urbana

(3) Major private developments have been constructed on sites bordering the Urbana campus and seriously affect future campus development. Other properties are likely to be used for private development; these are improved with older residences, most of which have been converted for student housing purposes, and a few older commercial properties. Within the area of the north campus master plan, approximately sixty properties, or three-fourths of the privately-owned parcels, are most highly-valued for the land itself. In addition, six other key properties, with improvements of lesser value, are located in areas where the University has large holdings. Any one of these properties could be developed to a higher and better use. During the last five months, the following activities have occurred in the approved north campus area: construction has begun on a new apartment building, two contiguous lots have been sold for development purposes, and a third property has been announced for development by its owner. Acquisition of the latter (1007 West Springfield Avenue, Urbana) is being recommended to the Board of Trustees, and a recommendation concerning the acquisition of the two lots will be submitted later. It is not possible always to know of private development plans before a new building is under contract for construction. Recent land acquisition and development activity emphasizes the urgent need for an approved program of land acquisition in the area of the north campus master plan and elsewhere within the border of the campus. While funds are available occasionally, frequently the University is unable to purchase private property when desired. With the prospect of even greater growth, an effort now is being made to identify sources of funds to implement a land acquisition program. In the current situation, it seems wise for designated officers to have the authority to negotiate quickly with owners and within appraisals and to declare the University's intention to acquire the property. Accordingly, the president of the University, with the concurrence of the appropriate administrative officers, recommends, with regard to properties that are subject to further development and within the campus boundary indicated on the attached map, 1 that: (1) All of the owners be notified at an appropriate time of the University's interest in acquiring the property. (2) That the president or his designee be authorized, subject to the availability of funds, to acquire property at a price within University appraisals when it becomes available for purchase, or is to be redeveloped, and to inform the owner that the University staff will recommend that the Board of Trustees acquire the property through condemnation proceedings.1 (3) The board delegate to its Executive Committee the authority to approve acquisitions by condemnation.

(The map is filed with the secretary of the board for record.J The genera] outline of the north and east campus boundaries as indicated on the map is as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner of University Avenue and Wright Street, east to Harvey Street, south to Springfield Avenue, east to Gregory Drive, south to Green Street, east to Lincoln Avenue, south to Oregon Street, west to a point midway between Gregory Drive and Goodwin Avenue, south to Nevada Street, east to a point slightly short of Lincoln Avenue, south one-half block, east to Lincoln Avenue, then south to Gregory Drive. The west boundary: Beginning at the southeast corner of University Avenue andt Wright Street, south on Wright Street to Springfield Avenue, west to Sixth Street, south to a point midway between Healey Street and Green Street, east to Wright Street, south on Wright Street past Green Street, west to Sixth Street, south to John Street, west off map, east midway between John Street and Daniel Street, south on Sixth Street and west on Daniel Street off map. (In addition to excepting the large parcel of land owned by several churches and sororities between Daniel, Wright. Armory and Sixth Streets, the general line described is also interrupted with various enclaves and irregnlarities.) * Periodic reports of the properties acquired will be made to the Board of Trustees.

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