Palatine strip mall now back on track

A bid to rid Palatine of one of its eyesores is back on course.

The village board Monday granted developers 18 more months to build A.C. Plaza, a strip mall and restaurant planned for Northwest Highway near Colfax Road.

The multimillion-dollar project -- over the protest of area residents -- was approved in April 2005. But a time extension was necessary because construction has yet to start and Palatine requires planned developments to be completed within three years of their approval.

"I'd like to see something happen after so long," Mayor Rita Mullins said.

A.C. Plaza, under the ownership of the adjacent A.C. Imports Jaguar car dealership, would feature retail, second-floor office space, a 48-space underground parking structure and 95-space parking lot.

Also in the works is a 150-seat restaurant, which faced the strongest objection three years ago from residents in the abutting neighborhood.

The eatery in particular came under fire because it would be permitted to stay open until 4 a.m. on weekends. The prospect of late-night bar-goers in their backyards prompted many to speak out against the development.

Property owner Tony D'Agostaro said anything is better than the current vacant lot.

"It looks terrible and we're going to clean it up," he said. "The town has everything to lose and nothing to gain by leaving it the way it is."

Mullins agrees that particular parcel "needs attention." The village has tried for years to drum up commercial and residential development along sections of Northwest Highway.

D'Agostaro told the village he plans to break ground within 120 days. He attributes the project's inactivity in part to getting all the required permits. He doesn't have his liquor license yet, but the board approved an increase in the number of late-night licenses with this specific project in mind.

How easily the retail space will get leased is uncertain. Mullins worries Palatine may not be an attractive destination for new businesses once the village's 10 percent sales tax takes effect July 1.

"Hopefully the economy will be better by the time it's built," she said.

D'Agostaro says there have been "inquiries" about the space from potential merchants.