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Wheeling Town Center concept plan approved

Amid concerns from some trustees, the Wheeling village board approved a concept plan for the $120 million Town Center project Monday.

Developers Urban R2 Co. presented a revised plan revolving around a large theater company that would take up more than one-fourth of the available retail square footage and serve as the anchor for the anticipated town center on the former Wickes Furniture site along Dundee Road.

The rest of the project will be a mix of large and small retailers, parking, a greenway and high-end rental apartments, said Brad Friedman, executive vice president for Urban R2.

Friedman declined to name the theater company but said the Wheeling location would be the Texas-based company's first foray into Illinois.

Friedman said the concept of the venue will be different from a traditional theater because, in addition to featuring new movies, it will play independent films and host other community events.

“My concern is that the theater fails,” said trustee Robert Heer, who was the sole vote against the plan. “You have yet to name the theater company, so you want us to vote blindly on what you tell us.”

Trustee Ken Brady said he would like the theater be a multiuse building where groups can put on plays, music events and other types of live entertainment in case the movies are not successful.

“I'm a little hesitant about putting that much into a theater that is not familiar to this area,” trustee Bill Hein said. “I want it to be something that the average resident in Wheeling can go to and enjoy. I'm very concerned about this being a single-use building, and if that's not successful, how will we market the building?”

Friedman reassured the trustees that the theater would be a good fit for Wheeling residents and a destination for people from surrounding suburbs before a 6-1 vote approving the concept plan.

“The biggest challenge was getting an entertainment anchor, and we've achieved that and we're very happy,” he said.

Once the center is constructed, Friedman said he envisions the town center as a place where families can get lunch, sit outside, see a movie and go shopping, as well as play sports and take in a concert at Heritage Park, which is undergoing its own multimillion-dollar renovation next door.

“We see the village greenway as the focal point of a very pedestrian friendly area,” Friedman said. He said the greenway could also be used for art festivals, farmers markets and other public events.

Wheeling has been trying to redevelop the more than 10-acre former Wickes site since the village bought it in 2008 for $3.7 million. Original plans called for the site to be open by summer 2014.

Developers will next work with the village on the details of receiving funding through a tax increment finance district and hope to break ground on infrastructure and landscaping by spring 2013, with work on the apartments in theater soon to follow.

Extension granted for town center plans

Wheeling moving ahead with massive Heritage Park renovations

Movie theater now part of Wheeling Town Center plan

Luxury apartments planned for Wheeling

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