Deal Gives Mayfield Village Site for New Library

An agreement between Mayfield Village and Progressive Insurance opens land near Interstate 271 for development and provides the future site of Mayfield Library.

The village and Progressive already had a development agreement. Village council agreed Tuesday to amend that deal to allow a trade of property so Progressive can consolidate its parcels, leaving the village 5 acres for the library site and another 3 acres next to it.

Council President William Buckholtz cautioned that the agreement means land is available for the library, but that library officials must still go through the village approval process.

Buckholtz said the development agreement dates back to 2006, when Progressive Insurance sought to acquire property to build a third campus. He said the village assisted by purchasing land through eminent domain.

"Then the economy crashed and it was apparent they were not going to build campus three," Buckholtz said. "The library is the catalyst for this happening now."

He said the consolidation was necessary from Progressive's standpoint because it will be easier to sell or lease the property when interested parties only have to deal with one owner.

"It's right by the freeway. It's prime property," said Buckholtz, who added that village officials want to ensure a good use for the site that will fit in with the area.

There is an obstacle to the agreement. Law Director Joseph Diemert will be in probate court Thursday regarding salvage rights a former owner has for a building being demolished. However, he expected that matter to be settled.