HARRISBURG, Ill. (WSIL) -- The City of Harrisburg is considering bids to sell its 540-acre lake.
Harrisburg Mayor John McPeek explained why they want to sell and a Harrisburg resident tells News 3 why he's against the move.
Over the past three years, Chris Andreae has leased a lot on Harrisburg Lake. He said over the years, he has built it up, to make it his special get-a-way.
"The cabin that was there burnt down and there were glass and debris and nails and stuff over the entire lot and had to clean all that up first and redo all of the landscape and build a spot for my camper," said Andreae.
When Andreae got word Harrisburg officials were taking bids on the city lake, he said he wasn't a happy camper.
"Makes me nervous and a lot of other individuals that I know at the lake of potentially losing their lot. I was actually talking to a board member discussed the possibility of leaseholders purchasing their lots from the city," said Andreae.
Mayor John McPeek said since they just decided a couple of weeks ago to accept bids but nothing is final.
"We had a couple of investors approach the city that was interested in making an offer on the Harrisburg lake, and at our last city council meeting we just made a motion to take bids on the lake," said McPeek.
Mayor McPeek said they are thinking about selling the lake for several reasons, including residents misusing it.
"Each year, the people can lease a lot up there from the city of Harrisburg. It's seasonal but over the years it's gotten out of control and people have built permanent structures up there and you're not allowed to do that and the city just has not enforced it," said McPeek.
He added if they decide not to sell the lake, leaseholders will see some changes in that area.
"You're supposed to be a Harrisburg resident to live there but once again, we've let that lapse over the years and people live all over from Marion, Norris City, they come from all over and the city has not enforced the rules up there like we should have. Hopefully, if we do keep the lot there will be some rules that will be enforced," said McPeek.
Mayor McPeek plans to hold a town hall meeting in the next couple of weeks to discuss the future of the lake with the 131 lot leaseholders.
