Lockport Considers Purchasing Property For Parking, Development

LOCKPORT, IL — The city council will consider buying a portion of a vacant lot on State Street in downtown Lockport to use for future parking and development. At its March 4 committee of the whole meeting, the council discussed the purchase and the council will vote on the matter at the next city council meeting on March 18.

According to board documents, the vacant lot is at 1016 S. State Street next to Jackie's Pub. The vacant lot is currently used as parking, but the city said its Heritage and Architecture commission wants to see another building back on the lot.

The building that used to be on the lot was destroyed in a fire, board documents state. The city would use part of the property for a parking lot and it would sell the front portion of the property to a developer willing to build a new building.

Mayor Steve Streit said construction on the building portion of the site would depend on the developer and sale of the property.

City staff said the parking lot could possibly be constructed this year.

Board documents state an agreement has been reached with the current property owner and the city will purchase the property for $95,000, in addition to the seller's attorney's fee and closing costs.