THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008
Gaining Steam
Choo-Choo Owner: Moving Restaurant For Takeover of Land By City Would Be 'Huge Mistake'
By TODD WESSELL
Journal & Topics Editor
Discussions about the city's possible purchase of the Choo-Choo Restaurant property have been ongoing since January, the Journal & Topics Newspapers has learned.
Those talks between city officials and property owner Bernard Barash, may lead to the city's acquisition of the corner lot to make way for either a new police and fire headquarters or for a different downtown redevelopment project.
The Journal & Topics first reported about a month ago that the city has made inquiries about buying the Choo-Choo property, located at Lee and Jefferson streets. Officials have said that if the property is bought, they will do everything they can to preserve the longtime, popular restaurant that has made a reputation serving customers hamburgers by delivering them to tables via a model train.
Besides the Choo-Choo land, city officials are also very interested in buying the old Masonic Temple building at Lee and Miner streets, and a single story building located along Miner Street between the Masonic Temple and City Hall. Aldermen discussed appraisals of the Miner Street property at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. No final decisions have been made about buying any of the property even though officials have indicated that the downtown property could be suitable for a new public safety building to replace the existing downtown train station located west of City Hall.
At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, City Manager Jason Bajor indicated that strong consideration is being given to locate the police and fire administrative offices in the same rather than separate buildings as is presently the case.
Meanwhile, Jean Paxton, owner of the Choo-Choo, said this week that she was recently assured twice on the same day by Des Plaines Community Development Director Mike Conlan that the city could move the small restaurant building to city-owned property next to the Des Plaines Elks Lodge at River Road and Perry Street. Paxton said she told Conlan she was skeptical of that idea explaining that the Choo-Choo building has a basement where she stores supplies. Paxton, added that Conlan told her such a move would result in the restaurant being closed for business for only two days.
"He told me that about four weeks ago," said Paxton adding that she doubts that her business would be interrupted for only two days.
"They will be making a huge mistake if they make this move," Paxton said.
"Two people in City Hall have agreed that the building will not survive physically such a move. Three of the walls are all windows. I'm bringing people to Des Plaines from all over. The people from the city, they all need to hang out here for a while and see. They don't know the magic of this little restaurant."
As of late Wednesday afternoon, Conlan had not returned a telephone call from the Journal & Topics.