Lake Zurich hears idea about replacing vacant pizzeria

A preliminary plan has surfaced to erase a vacant building in a mall at the southwest corner of Rand Road and Route 22 in Lake Zurich.

Chicago-based GW Properties is the contract purchaser for the former Giordano's restaurant building near the busy intersection. GW executive Mitch Goltz said a new structure would be built on the "tired" site.

"Our plans are to demolish the existing building, which in my opinion is past its useful life, and construct a new retail building that likely will (have) two or three tenants," Goltz told the Lake Zurich village board during an informal courtesy review of his proposal late last month.

Village trustees gave a thumbs-up to the tentative proposal and agreed it's worth entering the official approval process. GW would start with the advisory planning and zoning commission, which makes recommendations on projects to the village board.

Last year, Giordano's moved from the stand-alone building at Village Square to a mall storefront location. Trustee Jim Beaudoin said he's often heard from residents, "What's going on with the Giordano's property?"

Trustee Jeffrey Halen stressed the importance of GW constructing an eye-appealing building at the southwest corner of Route 22 and Rand Road. He said the intersection is Lake Zurich's cornerstone.

"I do think that this corner is in serious need of redevelopment," Halen said. "So it is very exciting to have someone come before us."

Goltz said he envisions a fast-casual restaurant occupying one of the building's spaces, with outdoor dining availability. He said the other two occupants would not be eateries.

If built, the structure would be brick and feature a symmetrical design, Goltz said. He said there would be about 60 parking spaces on a new asphalt lot.