DeKalb City Council Advances Plans for Former St. Mary’s Hospital

Plans to develop the former St. Mary’s Hospital building in DeKalb have taken a significant step forward following a recent meeting of the DeKalb City Council. The council received an update on the project concerning the vacant property located at 145 Fisk Ave, with City Manager Bill Nicklas stating that substantial progress has been made.

During the meeting, Nicklas reported that city staff has received a final engineering plan necessary for moving forward. “We’ve been looking to have a final engineering plan in preparation for future work on this property,” he said. The council had previously directed Nicklas to collaborate with local developer Jon Sauser on this plan, which was anticipated for discussion at the council’s first meeting in December.

The proposed project aims to convert the historic building, which is over 100 years old, into 32 apartments. This initiative follows a zoning change approved by the City Council three years ago. Despite encountering several delays since the initial approval, the project has now regained momentum with the submission of the engineering plan prepared by David Weber of Willett Hoffman, a firm the city has worked with previously.

Nicklas highlighted that the engineering plan has undergone review by city staff. “There are some minor tweaks, but it’s been prepared by Mr. Weber,” he noted. He encouraged the council to reconsider the project based on the new developments, emphasizing that it meets the city’s essential requirements. “We’re willing to work through minor details that may be there,” he added.

In a notable decision, the City Council unanimously voted against a measure that would have repealed the initial approval for the project. Only Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith was absent from this vote. The council’s decision allows plans for the former hospital building to proceed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further review, providing another opportunity for the City Council to assess the project in the future.

The path forward for the redevelopment of the former St. Mary’s Hospital appears clearer, as city officials and stakeholders remain committed to transforming the historic site into a new residential option for the community. Further updates are expected as the project progresses through the necessary planning stages.