Rockford City Council recap: A look at 6 measures at City Council Monday night
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — City Council members on Monday tackled measures ranging from honorary street names to multimillion dollar developments.
Here’s a breakdown of five measures that passed Monday night and one that was scheduled for a vote but delayed.
Affordable housing development
The council voted 13-3 to approve a special-use permit for a $47 million development that blends affordable and market-rate housing along with an early-learning center, vertical agriculture greenhouse, culinary institute and commercial space.
The proposal calls for 116 total living units, 64 of which would be developed as affordable housing, along 15 acres of mostly vacant land near South Avon and Cedar streets.
The development also includes a 21,600-square-foot brick building at 915 Cedar St. that would be turned into small storefronts, one-bedroom apartments and a market space for makers and small businesses. The mix of other housing types and commercial buildings would be constructed on vacant land formerly occupied by Rockford Gas Light and Coke Co., which was demolished in the 1960s.
Monday’s vote isn’t the last time the council will discuss the development. Rockford Housing Development Corporation is expected to present a request for financial assistance in the next two to three months.
Full story: City Council OKs plans for affordable housing development, but a future vote still looms
Downtown redevelopment
City Council voted unanimously to approve a deal with K & K Associates for a $5 million redevelopment that includes improvements at 505 N. Madison St., the former Coca-Cola bottling plant. The final use of that building isn’t set, but the family behind the development says it wants to create a space for family-friendly activities.
A new 100-stall parking lot with a solar covered pavilion would also be built south of the building.
Under the terms of a redevelopment agreement with the city, the developer would be reimbursed 100% of the taxes generated from the East River tax-increment finance district on a pay-as-you-go basis for eligible project costs. That could total up to $600,000 over the life of the TIF.
The city would also reimburse the developer $250,000 for parking lot improvements. That money was part of a previous commitment from the city for infrastructure improvements.
Full story: City Council approves deal to redevelop former Coke building in downtown Rockford
Homebuilding incentives
Aldermen delayed a vote on plans to rebate property taxes and waive permit fees in an effort to encourage more home construction.
The measure will be brought back before the council at a later date. It will also be brought to the Rockford School Board, Winnebago County Board and Rockford Park District board of commissioners.
The program would provide a three-year property tax rebate on single family, townhome, two-family, three-family or multifamily structures built before the end of 2024. Those projects would also have building permit, building inspection, building plan review and water connection fees waived.
More news: New barber college on Broadway in Rockford aims to inspire students to chase their dreams
Honorary name change
City Council unanimously approved renaming the portion of Pierpont Avenue from School Street to Auburn Street in honor of Fred VanVleet, a Rockford native and NBA champion now playing for the Houston Rockets.
The roadway, which is in front of VanVleet’s alma mater of Auburn High School, would be called VanVleet Way.
Paving the way for PCI expansion
City Council also OK’d an agreement with Winnebago County for Rockford to take over the jurisdiction of Linden Road east of Alpine Road to the city limits.
Winnebago County will construct turn lanes and resurface the road before transferring the jurisdiction to Rockford for future maintenance.
The agreement is intended to support PCI Pharma Services new $50 million, 200,000 square-foot facility in the 4900 block of Linden Road.
The facility, which will increase the company’s capacity to assemble products used to treat diabetes, obesity and autoimmune disease, is expected to open in summer 2024. About 250 people will be employed at the site.
Workforce program
The city will enter a workforce development agreement with Kee Solutions to rebuild 1311 N. Main St. into the future Think Big small business development center. City Council OK’d that deal on Monday.
The renovations include 5,000 square feet of training and education space, parking lot and landscape improvements, 5,000 square feet of coworking space and 2,000 square feet of administrative space.
The city will hire six young adults who will receive mentorship and training that prepares them for careers in the trades.
The total cost of the project and labor is about $3 million.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct information in the initial version. The homebuilding incentive program was laid over.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
