Wait continues as Wheaton Jewel property stands empty

Downtown Wheaton had just lost its Jewel Food Store when Mayor Mike Gresk called the headquarters for CVS Caremark Corp., which co-owns the now-vacant building.

Gresk explained to a CVS executive how the 19,500-square-foot store had operated at the Willow Avenue location for 47 years. He talked about all the residents who shopped there. And he wanted to know when a new grocery store might open.

The executive responded: "Where are you again?"

For Gresk, the story underlines the frustration Wheaton officials have experienced since the downtown Jewel closed last February.

In response to several questions Thursday during his State of the City address, Gresk said Wheaton has been trying to pressure CVS and Supervalu Inc. - Jewel-Osco's parent company - to sort out their co-ownership of the empty building.

"Quite honestly, it's just not important to them," Gresk said.

Because CVS and Supervalu are competitors, Gresk said he doesn't see either relinquishing control of the property to the other.

If the property were to become available for sale, Gresk said he's confident a replacement grocer wouldn't be difficult to find. He said at least one chain already has expressed interest.

"It's not a question of finding somebody," Gresk said. "It's a question of getting ownership consolidated and then having it sold."

When asked if Wheaton could condemn the property, Gresk said changes to the use of eminent domain in Illinois limit what the city can do.

"You can no longer condemn commercial property as a municipality and reuse it as commercial," he said.

In fact, the city might have to turn to the Hubble Middle School property if it wants another downtown grocery store.

"Realistically," Gresk said, "we would be better off looking to put a major grocery store into the Hubble project somehow - fit it as one of the pieces to that puzzle."

That 22-acre parcel at Naperville and Roosevelt roads will become available for redevelopment after the new Hubble opens in Warrenville. Real estate consultants and a steering committee are expected to take two years to determine the best use for that site.

Representatives for CVS and Jewel-Osco did not return calls.