Developer cleans up its corner of Fox Lake

Bulldozers are moving dirt and landscapers are cleaning up garbage at the former Forest School site in Fox Lake.

Trustee Ed Bender said Exceed Development, as promised, is leveling the empty lot at the corner of Forest and Grand avenues. It is being turned into an open field until construction of a proposed building begins.

Bender said he is happy to see the cleanup begin, but added he would feel better if the company were adding something to the tax rolls instead of just cleaning up the site.

"I'm happy to see the cleanup because it's a major eyesore right in the middle of town," he said. "But, honestly, I'd be happier to see them start work on the building and add revenue."

The school was demolished in the summer of 2004 to make way for the 12-story Savannah Grand project. But the project stalled after receiving approval from the village board in 2005.

Since then, the developers, Exceed Development, have gone back to the board asking for economic incentives to build the project.

When the board refused to give the incentives, Exceed altered plans for the project. They turned the building from 112 two- and three-bedroom units into 180 one- and two-bedroom units.

The board rejected the changes last month.

During the clashes, board officials grumbled about the way the lot has been deteriorating. Mayor Cindy Irwin said she asked Exceed to clean up the "weed-infested mud pit" prior to the village's Independence Day parade on July 7. The developer never did.

Citations were issued to the company, and now, cleanup has begun.

"I am thrilled to death they are finally working on it," she said. "I was looking at it at 9 a.m. (Thursday) and it definitely needed cleaning."

She added, "Now, maybe we can work with them to get the project going. It's a lot easier to work nicely with someone. Hopefully Exceed will see that and we can work together to get the project moving."