Sycamore residents are concerned over the fate of Sycamore’s former Engh Farmstead, 1730 N. Main St.

The city is currently accepting proposals from not for profit agencies interested in obtaining the 5.9 acre plot of land.

“The council determined that rather than just reacting to a couple of initiatives why not spread the net and invite anybody who has an interest in the farmstead to submit a formal proposal to explain what they’d like to do, how they’d like to do it, and what they want to contribute to the convergence of those buildings,” said Sycamore city manager Bill Nicklas.

The DeKalb County Probation Services and the Sycamore Historical Society and Museum are interested agencies, Nicklas said.

“The Probation Services proposal ultimately was looking at creating something like a halfway house,” Nicklas said. “The Historical Society was looking to relocate there from our lower level and have offices in the smaller building and in the larger farm house have their collections on display.”

Edward Saunders, 510 Nathan Lattin Ln., Sycamore, said the property’s historical nature calls for its preservation.

“I’d hate to see the homes that are on the site there becoming halfway houses or probationary short stay facilities for troubled teenagers,” Saunders said.

Nicklas said all proposals will be considered and further discussion on the topic may occur on Oct. 1.

“The council’s responsibility with the property is to find the highest and best use for the community,” said Sycamore mayor Ken Mundy.

Virginia Pierce, 1753 Briggs St., said she would rather have the property go to the historical society.

“With the concern by some residents regarding growth,” Pierce said, “what better way to preserve the history of the area then to have it used by the historical society to teach visitors and children and adults about those that came before us keeping the beauty of this lifestyle for everyone to enjoy.”

It would be a very open process that will be decided with public input, said Mundy.

“This has been out there for a month,” Nicklas said. “The proposal period was 30 days. If in that interim you didn’t know about it we’re glad you know now. We didn’t hide it. We did everything we could to publicize it.”

The farmstead has been in the city of Sycamore’s possession since 2005 and was vacated earlier this year in April, Nicklas said.

Proposals for the property are due this Friday to Bill Nicklas.