Schaumburg set to rebuild strip mall site

Schaumburg trustees Tuesday approved the design of a two-story commercial building they hope will replace the existing small strip mall at the northwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle roads once condemnation proceedings are complete.

The 16,719-square-foot building would lie on the combined 1.62 acres on the corner now divided between the existing mall and a long vacant piece of land last occupied by a Marathon gas station.

The village bought the gas station site a few years ago and began condemnation of the strip mall last April.

"We're taking a very active role in the marketing and redevelopment of those two pieces of property," Community Development Director Christopher Huff said.

The intention behind replacing the strip mall is to bring the development closer to the center of the intersection and introduce a more classic architectural design in keeping with the historic area of the village called Olde Schaumburg Centre.

Although the new building would be a single structure, each shop's facade will vary.

"It's classic architecture but not a replication of historic buildings," Huff said.

The mall from 8 to 26 N. Roselle Road is occupied by Sara Lee, a chiropractor, a hair care business, an employee recruitment firm, a jewelry and coin shop and two empty spaces.

Huff said the village would be interested in working with any or all of these tenants to relocate to the new building once condemnation and demolition of the building is complete.

Construction of the new building will be done by a developer who either comes forward or is solicited, but the design by the Chicago-based Ives Ryan Group is already considered final, Huff said.

A status hearing on the condemnation is set for early November, Village Attorney Jack Siegel said.