Mt. Prospect to view new downtown plan

The first major public unveiling of a plan for a proposed restaurant and residential district in downtown Mount Prospect will take place Tuesday night at the village hall, 50 S. Emerson St.

At 7 p.m., the board will look at renderings depicting a mix of condominiums, retail shops and restaurant space on the 2-acre site, referred to as the small triangle.

The triangle is bounded by Northwest Highway, Route 83 and Wille Street.

Northbrook developer John D. Heimbaugh, president and founder of Heimbaugh Capital Development Corp., will be making the presentation.

Heimbaugh has control of four parcels in the triangle at 15 W. Busse Ave., 19 W. Busse Ave., 22 W. Busse Ave. and 108 S. Main St.

But not everyone is happy about it.

Trustee Paul Hoefert said he'd have preferred multiple proposals from various developers, instead of simply considering Heimbaugh's vision for downtown.

"The proposed development is quickly moving out of proposed status," Hoefert said. "This development is now essentially being handed to the citizens of Mount Prospect as the one and only development option."

Trustee Arlene Juracek said it doesn't bother her that the village is considering this one proposal at this time, since Heimbaugh controls the property. Also, the board will study the proposal at length before making any final decision, Juracek said. Getting public comments is part of that process, she said.

"The whole point (of Tuesday's presentation) is to allow us to go public and get public feedback," Juracek said.

The board will review the proposal with the power of rejecting it if it wishes, said Bill Cooney, director of community development.

The proposal will likely move through the typical channels, going to the planning and zoning commission on March 27.

At that meeting, there'd be another opportunity for residents and business owners to comment on it.

It would then go back to the village board for more discussion before trustees vote on it.

The proposed development involves other properties, which the village is attempting to obtain through eminent domain.

Heimbaugh gained control of the properties late last year when Mount Prospect dentist Errol Oztekin sold all of his holdings in the triangle, except for the Blues Bar, to Homebrook Prospect LLC, which lists Heimbaugh as its agent.

In 2006, Oztekin had unveiled plans to develop the triangle into a dining and entertainment hub.