Wheeling trustees consider improving vacant land to lure developers

Village-owned vacant land that sits on a flood plain along the Des Plaines River at 635-769 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling has been a hard sell. To help draw developers, trustees are considering adding building pads and compensatory storage for stormwater.

An engineer has already reviewed the parcels and trustees will review bids at the board's July 20 meeting. Director of Public Works Mark Janeck said the improvements are estimated to cost $850,000. The project would add two feet of clay to raise the building level, and include underground piping for stormwater.

Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said developers would not receive any other incentives from the village.

"Installing the infrastructure now would avoid any regulations in the future that might change, which is a real concern because since the property was purchased, vastly stringent regulations have been passed by MWRD (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) and the state," Janeck said.

If contracts for bids are approved, Janeck said he expects the project to begin in early August and be completed next year.

Director of Economic Development John Melaniphy said three developers have looked at the area - a townhouse project, a restaurant and an auto dealership - but all have walked away. The property sits in Wheeling's South Tax Increment Financing District.

Trustee Dave Vogel said he worries that even with the pads, the perception of possible flooding will still be there.

Village President Dean Argiris said doing something is smarter than doing nothing.

"The property to the north is getting cleaned up," Argiris said. "We'll have good stormwater management now. Before, the water went everywhere and didn't know where to go. We're managing it now."

The topic also opened a larger conversation into sprucing up the Des Plaines River for residents to enjoy it more. However, the river is on forest preserve property.

Trustee Ken Brady suggested having a sit-down with Cook County and letting officials know their ideas.

Trustee Bill Hein suggested the village look at creating a riverwalk along the Des Plaines River with a bike trail and Brady suggested searching for a restaurant with a patio overlooking the river.

"The only place along that stretch of our community that utilizes the river is Kolssak," Brady said.