Story posted Friday, June 26, 2009
DP Planning Land Uses Near Casino Site
By TODD WESSELL Journal & Topics Editor
Des Plaines officials are not only sharpening their focus on the planned casino project along River Road north of Devon Avenue, but are also beginning to zero-in on what eventually to do with a large piece of property west of the planned gaming operation.
Four Des Plaines aldermen met with top city administrators Monday night in city hall to discuss a large number of redevelopment and land use issues including the casino.
Community & Economic Development Director Mike Conlan told aldermen that thought is now being given to the future use of the giant, privately-owned O'Hare Lakes property west of the casino site and Tri-State Tollway. He said whatever transpires there could match the casino development in terms of funding.
O'Hare Lakes is a massive office complex located around Peterson Lake just north of Rosemont's northern border. It's owner, Robert Kozonis, tried to convince Des Plaines officials last winter to support his plan to locate a casino there. However, the decision was made to stick with Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm's casino plan. At the time, suggestions were made that the new casino in Des Plaines could lead to future development of the O'Hare Lakes acreage.
The Illinois Gaming Board is currently in the process of conducting a suitability investigation into Bluhm's casino project. If final approval is given, as expected, construction could begin in a year or so. Overall, Bluhm is planning to develop 20-acres of land north of Devon and west of River Road to include not only a casino, but as many as two hotels, two restaurants and a parking garage.
For years, Rosemont attempted to secure state permission to serve as host community for a casino. The Gaming Board last December chose Des Plaines.
Conlan, in his report to aldermen Monday night, said consideration also needs to be given to installing a buffer between the O'Hare Lakes property and residential neighborhood if and when redevelopment there occurs.
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