The building that once housed an Econofoods in Monmouth and has sat vacant in recent years is to be converted into a park by the Monmouth Park District.
The Pattee Foundation first approached the Park District about contributing funds to purchase the property, have the building demolished and making improvements in summer 2015.
Park Board Commissioner Mark Gladfelter says that the space will eventually become an extension of the current Pattee Park.
The Pattees are a family whose links to Monmouth go back over 150 years when the Pattee brothers opened a flouring mill.
The name Pattee can be found all over the towns college campus from a residence hall, an academic auditorium in the science and business building and various professorships in business and science.
Gladfelter tells WGIL the plan is first make the football field sized area a green space and decisions will come in the future on other features that can be expected.
“We don’t have a dollar figure in mind exactly right now,” Gladfelter says. “But obviously that will be impacted by what the Pattee Foundation is willing to support.”
No plans are cemented yet, but Gladfelter says the idea is to create a place for residents to relax and the district doesn’t want to put too much stuff on the site.
He does say that a walking trail and pickle ball courts are being strongly considered.
Building demolition will likely finish in the next month, but Gladfelter says don’t expect the entire project to be completed until late 2017 to spring of 2018.
