Mt. Prospect downtown plan elicits a 'wow' but also concerns
Mount Prospect residents on Tuesday got their first glimpse of the $40 million Mount Prospect Town Center development -- a proposed retail and residential hub in the village's downtown.
Northbrook developer John D. Heimbaugh, president and founder of Heimbaugh Capital Development Corp., presented his vision for downtown, which largely consisted of two, seven-story buildings in the 2-acre site, referred as the small triangle. The triangle is bounded by Northwest Highway, Route 83 and Wille Street. The development would offer more than 100 condominiums and between 30,000- and 40,000-square-feet of retail and restaurant space.
Heimbaugh told the crowd of about 30 people in the village hall that his firm had tried to build a development that'd blend well into its surroundings.
"This is not a peripheral site on the edge of the village or even downtown," Heimbaugh said. "This is the core of the core. We have striven to create a project that respects that core center characteristic."
Resident David Lindgren, who is also a member of the village's economic development commission, said, "Really one word comes to mind: wow. Absolutely wow."
Others, like Jonean Ford, who lives in the nearby Village Center, were less enthusiastic and were concerned about the project's street access points, saying they could create traffic issues.
Mount Prospect resident George Schober questioned the size of the project's loading docks.
Trustee Paul Hoefert said he had serious misgivings about the project, especially regarding the retail aspects of it. He asked the board to consider a retail leasing agent to study it.
The board made no decision on the proposal. Village officials told the crowd there'd be more chances for comment on the project since this was just the first step in the process.
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.
The proposal likely will move through the typical channels, going to the planning and zoning commission March 27, said Bill Cooney, director of community development.
At that meeting, there'd be another opportunity for residents and business owners to comment on it.
It then would 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 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.