Proposed business park on panel’s agenda
ROCK FALLS – The city’s Industrial Development Commission will meet today to continue discussions on a proposed business park on 80 acres next to the new sewer plant.
Mayor David Blanton has submitted an application to the state to include the area in the Whiteside County Enterprise Zone, and said he already has been asked about what features the business park will offer.
Because of the sewer plant’s proximity, hooking up to sewer and electric would be very inexpensive, officials have said.
Alderman Glen Kuhlemier, a member of the commission, said the group will discuss how it wants to develop the park.
“My hopes for the site are that it will be primarily an industrial area with easy hookups to the utilities,” Kuhlemier said. “That doesn’t exclude business from being in the area.”
The city has a business park up the road: Rock Falls Industrial Park is off U.S. Route 30 on the east edge of town; the sewer plant is off 30 on the west edge.
Also today, the commission will get an update on the building at 1515 W. Route 30, which it was going to demolish, but instead sold to Rock Falls resident Jeff Moore for $1,000.
Moore has renovated the former bar into an office building.
“If you’ve been by there, he’s done a fantastic job,” Blanton said Wednesday.
The board also will resume discussions about a possible land swap with Mazel & Co., 400 W. First St.
The meeting begins at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 603 W. 10th St.
Last year, the city discussed trading a 1.5-acre parcel with a .46-acres site Mazel owns. The agreement didn’t get council approval; a new proposal calls for a 20-year lease agreement.
The parcel of land the city wants would become part of the Riverfront project.
