THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008
Make Way For Triangle
By RICHARD MAYER
Assistant Managing Editor
In early 2009, two buildings in downtown Mt. Prospect will be demolished to pave the way for the $40 million redevelopment project approved last May for the downtown "small triangle," bounded by Busse Avenue, Elmhurst Road and Northwest Highway.
According to Village Manager Michael Janonis, the buildings slated for demolition are the Meersman Law Office, 16 W. Northwest Hwy.; and Josie's Barber Shop, 30 Busse Ave. Both buildings became vacant earlier this year when owners decided to take their businesses elsewhere in lieu of the village board approving the redevelopment.
"We are in the process of getting quotes to conduct the demolition," said Janonis. "The demolition crew will literally take down each brick individually because of its value."
When demolition begins, Janonis said traffic in the area should not be affected too much. Crews may have to temporarily cone off the far right lane on Northwest Hwy. when taking down the Meersman building.
The development includes 97 condos and 31,000 sq. ft. of retail along with two five-story buildings on the east and north side of the two-acre project. There will be an additional seven-story building on the west side.
The project will also include an internal plaza that will provide "unique" outdoor dining opportunities and an area for public gatherings. Buildings will be constructed in a staggered form so natural light and privacy can be provided for future residents.
Also, there will be 291 total spaces provided in the new parking deck to be constructed where the current Ye Olde Town Inn currently operates. Of the 291 spaces, 165 will be for residential use and 126 for commercial use.
There will also be 10 spaces allotted on Northwest Highway just west of Main St (Rt. 83), 35 spaces in the south parking lot, 141 spaces in the Metra lot during evenings and weekends and 383 spaces in the village parking deck that will be used for employees of nearby businesses and overflow.
In other downtown redevelopment news, Ye Olde Town Inn restaurant and bar owner Tod Curtis has posted a "For Rent" sign next to his establishment, for two vacant spaces above his eatery.
According to Curtis, 12 of the 14 spaces he owns are currently occupied. An attorney and clothing material distributor previously rented the two vacant spaces.
Curtis said they both moved out earlier this year, and never gave him any reason why they were leaving.
"Prospective tenants have to first qualify and then I will do a background check. After that, everything else is negotiable," said Curtis. "So far, there hasn't been any interest from anyone."
Curtis said because his building is an older building, he will charge prospective tenants $250-$300 a month in rent, which includes heat, water, electricity, and air conditioning.
"If Mr. Curtis charges his tenants on a month-to-month basis, once the eminent domain proceedings are resolved, he only has to legally give his tenants 30 days notice to move out," said Janonis.
During the village's committee of the whole meeting last week (Nov. 11), Curtis' attorney Richard Valentino asked Janonis and board members about Curtis' proposal of creating paved parking and green landscaping areas on Homebrook and village owned properties.Homebrook Prospect LLC is an entity made up of investors who have put money into the project and expect to profit from the development once completed.
Janonis informed Valentino to contact Homebrook members about Curtis' plans.
"We (village) are not getting into a joint venture with Ye Olde Town Inn to create more parking," said Janonis. Valentino also asked permission from board members if a mural could be painted on the west wall of Curtis' establishment.
"The mural is a strange way of generating publicity," Janonis laughed. "In regards to Curtis' Gateway Centre plans, if they are actively pursuing redevelopment plans, it would require Ye Olde Town Inn to come down and I can't fathom that they would put in all this money to renovate it just to tear it down. It doesn't make any sense to me. After a decade of neglect, Mr. Curtis has decided to renovate his building now."