Northland Plaza will be under redevelopment thanks to an approval by the DeKalb City Council at Monday’s meeting.

The approval gives way for an agreement with Peckham, Guytom, Albers and Viets to complete a feasibility study, which will cost the city $15,000. The group will determine which aspects of Northland Plaza need to be redeveloped.

“I’ll call them [today] and they should be finished in 30 days,” said Linda Wiggins, administrative service director for DeKalb.

Northland Plaza, located on Sycamore Road, currently houses Borders Books and Music, Leath Furniture and other stores.

The firm will look at the current facility and see what is needed. PGAV was chosen to complete the study because it knows the program well and is familiar with the project.

Having a firm other than PGAV take over the project was not a good option, Wiggins said.

“It will only delay the project to seek other firms,” Wiggins said.

The cost of the project will be paid by bonds bought by businesses and other investors. The study portion of the project is expected to be completed by the end of September, Wiggins said.

Wiggins also hopes to open some of the stores by Thanksgiving.

“We hope to have the project completed a year from now,” Wiggins said.

By request of George Stratton, owner of South Pointe Center, a public hearing also was held during the meeting.

He has proposed the annexation of a nine-hole, par-three golf course community located south of Gurler Road near St. Mary’s School and South Pointe Center, 200 Gurler Road.

The proposal had a favorable vote by the plan commission, said Jordan Gallargher, attorney for the developer.

South Pointe Center was able to take the plan commission’s suggestions and put it into the center’s plans, he said.

Third ward Ald. Steve Kapitan said one of the main concerns for the annexation was impact fees. These fees would affect housing developments in the community, as well as the rest of DeKalb.

Second ward Ald. Kris Povlsen said no decision should be made until the impact fees are settled.

If there is an increase in the impact fees, the firm will pay for it, Gallargher said.

Another issue concerning the annexation was the police patrol in that area.

“It’s not an ideal situation,” police chief Bill Feithen said.

The patrols in the area around St. Mary’s School and South Pointe will be more focused and might complement each other, Feithen added.

David Emanuelson, executive director of the DeKalb Park District, said the district plans to meet with the firm on Thursday. He prefers to have a written agreement that discusses information about the land.