Breaking News: Pleasant Prairie Proposes Big Land Purchase from Abbott

Pleasant Prairie isn't waiting any longer for Abbott Labs to develop the last large tract of buildable land in the village along I-94. It's moving forward on it own.

The village announced late Friday that it plans to buy 458 acres of Abbott-owned land in the northwest quadrant of I-94 and County Highway Q for $37.5 million for use as a corporate park. The move is contingent on approval by the village plan commission and board.

The announcement would appear to end years of speculation that the Lake County-based Abbott plans to relocate across the border.

According to a news release, the village would buy the parcel through the tax incremental financing process and put in roads and sewers. The proposed park already has a name: ""Prairie Highlands."

The park's focus would be on manufacturing, office and commercial uses. "Village leadership has a strong desire to ensure that the last remaining developable land along I-94 in our community be reserved for its highest and best use," the release says.  

Abbott started acquiring tracts of land along I-94 in Pleasant Prairie in the early 2000's. In 2006, the company revealed it had amassed some 500 acres for "future growth and expansion," setting off rumors of a relocation. 

The village release issued Friday indicated that Pleasant Prairie officials recently approached Abbott about buying the land, and the company agreed to sell.

The village's plan commission is expected to approve the project on Monday night, with the village board taking a formal look at it on Apr. 17th.

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