Des Plaines' Riviera project needs more time

Citing the slumping housing market, a developer pitching a high-rise retirement community next to his Des Plaines restaurant wants a two-year extension for the project.

Nick Mitchell, who owns Grazie Ristorante, said Thursday he needs more time to build the Riviera project. Grazie is located at 1050 E. Oakton St.

The two-year extension he won in 2006 is expiring, so Mitchell needs another one.

But the project is still one he's committed to building.

"We're still moving forward," Mitchell said.

In January 2007, city aldermen rejected Mitchell's request for public dollars to help the project, which he says will help spur redevelopment along Oakton Street.

Mitchell's request for a time extension will go before the city's community development committee on April 4.

The extension also would need the backing of aldermen at a regular council meeting.

The Riviera resort received an OK for preliminary plans in 2001. In April 2004, Mitchell won the city council's approval despite the unanimous objection of plan commissioners, who cited concerns that it would be about 100 feet taller than other buildings in the area.