OREGON — Oregon city leaders said discussions are continuing on the future of the former Lorado Taft Field Campus after Northern Illinois University offered to donate portions of the property to a government agency through an intergovernmental agreement. City officials said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources sought to take ownership of the site, but the request was denied because of maintenance responsibilities and budget limits. The city recently hosted a meeting with representatives from Ogle County, Byron, the Oregon Park District, Blackhawk Hills Regional Council, local schools, and economic development groups to discuss possible options. No organization has committed to taking ownership, but several plan to study the property further before NIU’s Aug. 31 response deadline. Officials said major concerns include aging buildings, infrastructure costs, and finding a long term funding plan, while preserving the site’s historic, educational, and public value.
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