Council approves lease for deck at 502 1st Street after applicant testifies

The LaSalle City Council voted March 16 to grant a lease allowing a 10‑by‑58‑foot deck on city property adjacent to 502 1st Street, enabling the owner to configure additional tenant space while preserving municipal utility access.

Applicant Mike Bird spoke from the podium to explain the project’s constraints and benefits, saying the city property next to the building contains a large storm sewer and is undevelopable. "So basically ... the deck's complete ... it's literally just a deck," he told the council, adding the structure will wrap about 10 feet off the building and provide access to the back so city personnel do not need to enter tenant space.

Council members asked technical and public‑access questions before taking a roll‑call vote. The motion to grant the lease carried unanimously by recorded 'Aye' responses.

The lease covers only the narrow deck area; council emphasized the remainder of the undevelopable parcel remains unchanged and any other landscaping or additions would require separate permission. The action was taken during an out‑of‑order agenda item to accommodate the applicant’s presentation.

Next steps: the city will finalize lease paperwork and record terms required to ensure municipal utility access is preserved.