McHenry officials to talk redevelopment of defunct wastewater treatment plant

The McHenry City Council will meet Monday to discuss the future of the defunct Central Wastewater Treatment Plant site.

City officials want to identify a future use for the 7.2-acre site at
3302 Waukegan Road on the Fox River. Council members will talk Monday about releasing a request for proposals and qualifications in hopes of finding a developer for the property, according to city documents.

The goal is to issue the request by Friday, creating a 90-day window for developers to respond, according to city documents.

The city decommissioned the plant last year after an expansion of the South Wastewater Treatment Plant was complete.

“Given the site’s location of prominence with direct access to the Fox River, in addition to its proximity to the downtown business district, a high-quality, mixed-use development is envisioned,” the RFP draft reads.

The property is zoned for “downtown commercial” uses, and there already are boat slips on the site, according to city documents.

A project evaluation team of elected city officials, staff and legal counsel will review any proposals that come in. A redevelopment agreement ultimately must come before the City Council, according to city documents.

The city already has been approached by at least two entities interested in the site, according to city documents.

An appraisal of the site was completed in October. The land value of the property is $1.2 million, and the boat slip value is $223,000, according to the appraisal.

Demolition of buildings on the property would cost between
$1.5 million and $2 million, according to city documents.

The council also will discuss an intergovernmental agreement between the city’s police dispatch services – the North East Regional Communications Center – and the Union and Marengo police departments, as well as replacement of the municipal center’s roof.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 333 S. Green St.