TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Rod Tonelli, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Terminating a Lease Agreement with the Will County Historical Society for the Lots at 575 E. Jackson Street
end
BACKGROUND:
In 2020, a new Thornton’s gas station was erected on the northeast corner of Collins and Jackson Streets. To make room for the project, the City entered into a Development Agreement with Thortons LLC and the Will County Historical Society (WCHS) on November 19, 2019, which included the terms and conditions for the relocation of the Casseday House from 411 E. Jackson Street to three City-owned parcels at 575 E. Jackson Street. On March 17, 2020, the City entered into a lease agreement with the WCHS that outlined obligations and responsibilities between the two parties upon relocation of the Casseday House. On March 23, 2020, the Casseday House was moved to its current location at 575 E. Jackson Street (a locator map and site plan are attached). The lease agreement stipulated that the house would be owned by the Will County Historical Society (WCHS) while the City would continue to own the land. The duration of the lease agreement was for 10 years.
Plans to operate a museum on the site were unsuccessful. In the past year, the City and the WCHS were contacted by Luther Johnson. Mr. Johnson currently owns and operates a not-for-profit organization called History on Wheels. This organization operates as a travelling museum that conducts educational programming about African American contributions to military campaigns throughout American history. Mr. Johnson is interested in finding a permanent home for his exhibits and expanding his operations.
Mr. Johnson has met with WCHS, and the WCHS Board of Directors voted at their May 2023 meeting to terminate their interest in the Casseday House building and to support the transfer of the Casseday House lease to the History on Wheels organization, pending approval of said transfer by the City of Joliet.
Staff has met with Luther Johnson and believe that he has the construction experience and initial financial support to stabilize the building as well as the perseverance to establish a museum at this location. The proposed lease agreement maintains the same obligations and responsibilities between the two parties as the previous agreement that City had with the WCHS. The duration of the proposed lease agreement is 2030, at which time the parcels would be given to History on Wheels.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve this Resolution.
end