Crete Township is moving forward with negotiations to purchase property near the intersection of Exchange and Sangamon streets in hopes of one day turning it into something akin to a community center.

Township residents voted 44-9 during a special town meeting Tuesday to authorize township officials to negotiate, purchase and improve property at 722 W. Exchange St. in Crete. That property includes a 5,300-square-foot circular structure that peaks in the middle on 4 acres of land, including two parking lots.

Township Supervisor Michael Liccar called the property an investment with plans for a type of community center offering space for senior and youth activities, and possibly housing the food pantry. The township may also eventually move its offices to the new campus, but that would be based on funding as well as whether the existing building could be sold, Liccar said. The plan is to act in phases and try to avoid debt.

“We don’t want the township to be at any financial risk,” Liccar said. “We want to be careful.”

The approved resolution limits a township offer on the property to money in township funds without imposing any new or higher taxes for purchase or improvements. Liccar has not discussed a definite sale price, but the Township has $578,541 in a Capital Improvement Fund it started for this purpose. He told the crowd he expects the property to cost more than $500,000.

Liccar said the township also intends to pursue donations to fund activities as well as seek grants. The plan is to continue accumulating funds to cover any remodeling and expansion. He said because spending was down during the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional $200,000 will be added to the Capital Improvement Fund, which could bring the fund to $778,000.

“It’s a budgeted item,” Liccar said. “We generally just transfer it depending on how our year is going. As long as the township is fiscally sound and has cash that meets its needs, the idea would be we will transfer funds on a quarterly basis.”

Town meetings allow registered voters in the township to vote on legislation directly. They are typically held annually, but special town meetings can be called as needed. The Crete Township Board called the meeting because it lacks the statutory authority to purchase property on its own.

“This is about as democratic as you can get,” Liccar told residents.

Questions from residents ranged from the condition of the building to what alternatives have been pursued. Liccar said an inspection would have to take place before the purchase. The township looked at a few farm properties and other spaces, but the conditions were not right, he said.

Max Martin, 19, said it was great to be part of the town meeting process. He has lived in the township for the past 15 years. Growing up an “artsy kid” in the area has often meant traveling 30 to 45 minutes for things such as music lessons, he said.

“That really limits how much a kid can do,” Martin said. “Having something in town for people would be a real game-changer.”

Jamie Healy, a community member and business owner, said she came to learn more about the project. She ended up being one of three ballot judges nominated to count the ballots. Healy said she also voted in favor of the project.

“I think there’s a ton of potential there,” she said. “As long as it’s done correctly, I think it could bring a lot to our community.”

Liccar said he was pleased with the turnout.

“We’ve got a really good community,” Liccar said. “It makes us stronger as a community — different ideas, different thoughts.”

The property was originally built in 1967 as Crete Reformed Church. It was sold in the mid-1990s. Liccar said he thinks some work has been done to the original entrance area. It is leased to six tenants that are under one- or two-year leases.

Liccar has said he thinks that would allow the township to continue planning and building funds while collecting rent for a “cash flow positive” ownership. It also means water, sewer and electrical are already set up.

The building space is already larger than the township’s existing 4,600-square-foot town hall. Liccar has said that the building’s circular design allows for easy expansion. The portion of the property nearest Exchange is zoned commercial, while the “back” is zoned residential, Liccar said. The township would have to talk to the village of Crete about rezoning.

“We don’t foresee any issue with that,” Liccar said.

Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.