Normal to vote on ISU land trade

Posted on August 3, 2015
If the Normal Town Council approves the deal, 608 S. Main St. will soon become the new fire station headquarters. (WJBC file photo)
If the Normal Town Council approves the deal, 608 S. Main St. would become the site for new fire station headquarters. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – Normal’s Town Council will vote Monday night on approving the land swap deal with Illinois State University.

The trade will allow 608 S. Main St. to eventually become the town’s new fire station headquarters. In exchange, ISU will receive four smaller town-owned properties. City Manager Mark Peterson said the deal is mutually beneficial.

“The university, they are receiving some strategically advantageous properties that they can use in the future,” said Peterson. “Also, the new fire station is going to be able to provide a higher level of service to the campus.”

Peterson explained creating this deal was complicated, partially because one of the properties the town is giving up is the current number two fire station.

“We need to continue to use that station until we’re ready to occupy the new station,” he said.

ISU has agreed to let Normal continue to use the property until the new fire station is ready.

Peterson said the new station has a budget of $7.5 million. Construction likely will not begin until 2016.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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