Story posted Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Forced Out By Casino, Business Owners Chart Next Move
By TODD WESSELL Journal & Topics Editor
Wendy Gruen, the newest member of Des Plaines' Economic Development Commission, is planning the arduous task of planning to move from the office building where she and her husband, Paul Turner, have operated their business out of for the last 15 years.
And, she's not a happy camper.
Turner Financial Services, Inc. along with around 20 other businesses in the vicinity of the 3100 block of South River Road will soon have to move to make way for the planned new casino. Preliminary zoning and land use issues relating to the casino are beginning to be addressed by city of Des Plaines officials that will lead to the demolition of several office buildings on the west side of River Road north of Devon Avenue. The village of Rosemont is located on the south side of Devon.
Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, LLC plans to build a 140,000 to 150,000 sq. ft. casino and 1,200-car multi-level parking garage on the property as part of project's phase 1 construction. Future work will include development of one or two hotels and restaurants on the property. In order to move forward, demolition of several more office buildings, including the former Xerox structure, will occur.
"We were one of the first asked to leave," said Gruen, who last week was introduced to Des Plaines City Council members after Mayor Marty Moylan nominated her to serve on the EDC. Formal acceptance of her appointment is expected at city council's next meeting on Jan. 19. Gruen serves as Turner's chief financial officer.
According to Gruen, she was notified on Dec. 16 that her company would have to vacate the two-story office building where Turner Financial Services, 3150 River Rd., has been located since 1995. They have to be out by Mar. 16.
Ald. Rosemary Argus (8th), chairman of the city's Community Development Committee, said this week that she wants to know what, if anything, the city is doing to help those local businesses that will have to relocate. She said she does not want them to cease operating or move to another town.
Turner, said Gruen, will be moving her company to an office building at 1400 Touhy Ave., located west of Mannheim Rd. That new spot, said Gruen, will allow clients to visit her office without having to deal with casino traffic.
"I was disappointed with the timing," Gruen said of the Dec. 16 notification. Because of the holidays, she said she does not have a comfortable length of time to plan and execute the switch. She also has not heard anything from the city about helping with the move.
"I'd prefer not to move," she added. She believes only one other tenant is located inside the 3150 River Rd. building at this time.
"We've been here a long time and I'd thought there would be some kind of concession from the landlord such a one or two month break on the rent," Gruen added. However, nothing has been offered.
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