Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1964 [PAGE 460]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1963]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

415

51 East Armory Avenue — a lot 48 feet by 120 feet improved with a two-story and basement frame house which has been converted into an apartment house of four units. 53 East Armory Avenue — a lot 48 feet by 120 feet improved with a two-story and basement frame house which has been converted into two apartments, and a three-car garage. 1104-1106 South Locust — a lot 40 feet by 140 feet improved with a one-story and basement duplex building, and two garages, one four-car and one one-car; access to this property is through the properties at 51 and 53 East Armory Avenue. The Board of Trustees on December 19, 1962, authorized condemnation proceedings for acquisition of these properties. However, through subsequent negotiations, a price of $75,000 has been agreed upon which is within the limit authorized by the Committee on Buildings and Grounds. It also appears to be the lowest price for which the properties can be acquired without condemnation proceedings and incurring the resulting costs. The owner will sell the properties at the price indicated on these conditions: Possession of the property at 1104-1106 South Locust Street, and the land, including garages, south of the residential improvements at 51 East Armory Avenue and 53 East Armory Avenue, will be delivered to the University on or before April 30, 1963. Possession of the remaining properties at 51 East Armory Avenue and 53 East Armory Avenue, will be delivered to the University on or before Tune 30, 1963. The University will pay the taxes for the year 1963 payable in 1964. T h e owner will pay the taxes for the year 1962 payable in 1963 and will assume all expenses such as utilities and insurance, and will maintain the property in its existing condition as long as she remains in possession. Funds are available in the state capital appropriations to the University from the Universities Building Fund and have been released. I recommend authorization of this purchase on the conditions indicated; and I further recommend that the Board rescind its action of December 19, 1962, with respect to the acquisition of these properties. O n m o t i o n of M r . P o g u e , t h e p u r c h a s e of t h e s e p r o p e r t i e s , a t t h e price a n d o n t h e c o n d i t i o n s r e c o m m e n d e d , w a s a u t h o r i z e d ; a n d t h e B o a r d v o t e d t o r e s c i n d its p r e v i o u s a c t i o n of D e c e m b e r 19, 1962, for the a c q u i s i t i o n of t h e s e p r o p e r t i e s t h r o u g h c o n d e m n a t i o n . ACQUISITION O F P R O P E R T Y AT 4 0 2 EAST C H A L M E R S S T R E E T , CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS (2) The Committee on Buildings and Grounds has approved the design of a residence hall for single graduate students to be constructed in the block bounded by Daniel Street, Fifth Street, Chalmers Street, and Fourth Street, Champaign, Illinois. Architectural work is in process and construction is scheduled to start in the spring of 1964 with completion in time for occupancy in the fall of 1965. Representatives of the University have been negotiating for the purchase of the property at 402 East Chalmers Street, included within the site. This property is a corner lot of 5,986 square feet (being 51.5 feet on Chalmers Street, by 116.24 feet on Fourth Street), improved with a three-story and basement frame dwelling converted into an eight-unit apartment house. Based on appraisals received by the University, an offer of $29,712 was made to the owner, who was advised that if he agreed to that amount, a recommendation would be made to the Board of Trustees for purchase of the property. The offer is not acceptable to the owner, whose asking price remains substantially in excess of the highest University appraisal. The Director of the Physical Plant and the Vice-President and Comptroller recommend that the Board of Trustees exercise its power to obtain the property by eminent domain and authorize condemnation proceedings. Funds are available in the state capital appropriations to the University for 1961-63 from the Universities Building Fund and have been released. I concur and recommend adoption of the following resolution.