SYCAMORE | A grant was awarded to local developer John Pappas for the demolition of the former Fargo Motors property at 437 W. State Street.

The TIF grant, in the amount of $61,680, was awarded at the Sycamore City Council meeting on Jan. 18.

According to the agenda, the property is in the city’s TIF district so it has high incentive to promote private redevelopment of this now vacant commercial property.

“It is meant to encourage development within the city and we speculate that it will improve conditions within the city of Sycamore,” said City Engineer John Laskowski.

The city reimburses the developer in the form of the grant once the work has been completed as stated in the agenda.

“Along with the removal of the building, the demolition project will also remove the concrete slabs of foundation,” said City Manager Bill Nicklas. “In addition, the water and sewer lines will be discontinued at the property lines in anticipation of new construction at the location in 2011.”

Nicklas said Pappas plans to start construction on a new structure within this calender year but a definitive construction plan has not been developed yet.

The demolition of the former Fargo Motors property will be done by Elliott & Wood INC., 210 Industrial Drive in DeKalb, who submitted the lowest bid. In accordance with TIF guidelines, the property owner must solicit private bids for the demolition job and submit them to the city for review.

Nicklas said demolition of the building may occur this week or next.

“Demolition will begin anytime the excavator is available to start,” Nicklas said.