Worth sells property for future development

By Joe Boyle

The Village of Worth has agreed to the purchase of a single-family home that will be leveled and developed by the new owner for future use.

A resolution was passed accepting a bid for the purchase of a residence at 11138 S. Ridgeland Ave. during the Worth Village Board meeting on Dec. 6. The home is 1,100 square feet on a 7,667-square-foot lot.

Adel Tantawi, a Worth resident, put in a bid of $30,759 on Aug. 22 for the property. His bid was accepted over Syed Iobal Ali’s $23,000 on Sept. 22.

Tantawi signed an agreement to purchase the property on Nov. 16. Members of the Worth Village Board said that Tantawi’s proposal for the property is “the highest responsive and responsible bid for the purchase of the property and that accepting such a bid is in the best interest of the village.”

The board officially approved Tantawi’s offer at the Dec. 6 meeting. The property included a two-story single-family home with a detached garage. Tantawi has not disclosed what he plans to do with the property.

The property is on land that is part of the tax increment district zone within the 111th Street/Toll Road Redevelopment Project Area.

New vehicles for police

The board also approved the purchase of two 2023 Ford Interceptors for the police department from Currie Commercial Center in Frankfort. Board members approved the expenditure of $42,705 for each vehicle.

Each vehicle will have a delivery date of May 1, 2023, and an additional $11,000 for each Interceptor for outfitting as EVT vehicles

Police Chief Tim Denton said that in order to obtain the vehicles during the month of May or after, the Interceptors needed to be ordered as soon as possible due to the order cutoff at the end of the year.

Denton said the new vehicles will replace a 2017 Ford Explorer and a 2018 Ford Explorer. No payment will be made on the new vehicles until they are purchased from the dealership after May 1, according to the police chief.

Road surface repairs

Trustee Brad Urban, who is the head of the public works committee, said that village crews have performed street section repairs. Damaged road surfaces were replaced with new base stone and new asphalt material.

The repairs took place on the north side of 108th Street between Harlem and Octavia avenues; on the north side of 109th Place between Harlem and Octavia; along 111th Place between Columbus and Oketo avenues; and Nagle Avenue between 107th Street and 111th Street.

All necessary winter equipment for snow and ice control has been installed and checked for operation. Some small repairs were necessary on salt spreaders and plows. The repairs were all performed by the public works crew, Urban said.

Hometown Hero banners, which salutes former and present U.S. servicemen and women from the village, were removed, cleaned and stored for next year, Urban said.

Public works crews installed holiday decorations on light poles. Soldier decorations were assembled at the Veterans Memorial at 111th Street and Harlem Avenue, Urban pointed out.

Urban also mentioned that the chipper service is now finished for the year. However, he added it will be made available for any future storms.