Despite a collapse in the city`s negotiations to buy the Highland Park Golf Course, Mayor Daniel Pierce predicted there is a good chance talks could resume.
”It`s quite possible we could get back together on this,” Pierce said Tuesday about the city`s discussions with LaSalle Bank, owners of the 157-acre parcel.
The bank had notified the city it would withdraw its offer to sell the land if a purchase agreement was not reached this week. Highland Park chose not to rush into an agreement, Pierce said.
”I`m sorry they decided to terminate their discussions with us,” he said, ”but it wasn`t fair to make those demands.”
Although Pierce spoke optimistically about the purchase, the council seemed less eager to buy the property than it appeared last month when it announced it was considering paying up to $11.5 million for the land.
Also, some residents want the decision out of council hands entirely. A petition with 360 signatures, calling for the golf course purchase decision to be made by voters in a binding referendum, was presented to the City Council at the meeting.
