Hoffman Estates OTB pushed back to 2011

A restaurant with an off-track betting parlor had been scheduled to open this spring in Hoffman Estates, but now that won't happen until next year.

One of the partners involved in the Saddle Room dropped out of the project. The remaining investors are in the process of arranging financing to purchase the land in a planned entertainment district near the Sears Centre, and the new plan is to break ground next month and open in March 2011, according to a letter Saddle Room partner Parker Grabowski sent to village officials.

Grabowski also asked the village for an extension on the special-use permit the board approved last year for the project.

Without discussion, the board on Monday gave preliminary approval for an extension until Nov. 11. The permit was set to expire this month, and without the extra time, Saddle Room developers would have had to go through the time-consuming process of procuring the permit all over again.

Village officials have seen projects in the Prairie Stone Business Park gain approval by the board, only to be delayed, and in the case of the Prairie Creek Music Theater, completely abandoned.

A water park and hotel slated for the location also have been delayed.

However, village officials are more confident in the Saddle Room.

Mayor William McLeod said the Saddle Room already had arranged the financing, and it was only a matter of time until it opens.

"I still think it will go ahead," McLeod said.

The Saddle Room was planned at more than 10,000 square feet at 5295 Prairie Stone Parkway.

Grabowski wasn't at Monday's meeting, but McLeod said that, as far as he knew, the project's scope would remain the same. Grabowski and his group also own The Turf Room in North Aurora.

Inter-Track Partners, from Melrose Park, would run the OTB portion. Inter-Track officials had estimated the village and Cook County could receive $150,000 to $200,000 each year, assuming the Saddle Room OTB does $15 million to $20 million per year.

The village board also approved temporary signs for the entertainment district that read "Poplar Creek at 59/90." The temporary signs will be installed on the southwest corner of Hoffman Boulevard and Route 59.