Rosemont Harry Caray's says gated parking plan could 'wipe us out'

Harry Caray's Restaurant Group CEO Grant DePorter said a proposed gated parking lot next to his restaurant in Rosemont could "essentially wipe us out," arguing it would deter people from patronizing the popular eatery.

But owners of the hotel where the restaurant is located, who are seeking to install controlled access gates, say Harry Caray's patrons will still be able to park for free inside and outside the gated area.

The dispute has been rumbling behind closed doors for months, but arose publicly for the first time this week at a meeting of the Rosemont zoning board of appeals.

Harry Caray's has leased a 7,800-square-foot space on the first floor of the Holiday Inn & Suites, at the southeast corner of Higgins and Mannheim roads, since 1999. The restaurant is where the Blackhawks famously brought the Stanley Cup after winning the coveted trophy in 2010 and 2013 once they arrived back at O'Hare International Airport.

DePorter said other restaurants within hotels have suffered when gated parking has been installed. And he says the hotel's ownership told him last October they wouldn't install gates until all other options were explored.

"Everyone has told us if the gates go up, we're in deep trouble and our revenues are going to fall," DePorter told zoning board members Tuesday.

Holiday Inn has requested an amended special use for the gated lot, and has already installed curbs and poles in preparation for getting the gates.

But the zoning board deferred the matter to its April 12 meeting, not only in hopes the two sides will be able to come to a resolution, but also until the hotel removes the existing curbs and poles since fire trucks can't properly access the lot.

In making a case for the gates, hotel General Manager Juan Pablo Laginia said some people who stay at the neighboring Sheraton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel, which has a gated lot, are instead parking in the un-gated Holiday Inn lot.

Holiday Inn officials also want to be able to rent out long-term parking spaces for people who want to park and jump on a flight at O'Hare.

Hotel officials say there's just under 400 parking spaces currently in the surface lot and nearby garage for the hotel and restaurant. If the gates are installed, the restaurant would have use of 46 free surface lot spaces.

Laginia said there would be signs indicating those spots are reserved for restaurant patrons, and that hotel guests should use the gated lot to avoid towing.

"We're going to have a parking manager on site," Laginia said. "It's very easy to see when the restaurant is closed, nobody should be on those spots. We think we can have very good control over those spots."

Harry Caray's valet would also be able to access 130 spaces within the gated area.

Brad Goss, an attorney for Harry Caray's, accused the hotel of trying to turn the parking lot into "a profit center." He argued adding gates to the lot would impact the restaurant's easement and access rights.

The hotel's attorney, Kelly Bufton, disagrees, but thinks the zoning board shouldn't make its decision based upon a contractual matter between the two parties.

"It's certainly in our interest that Harry Caray's thrive there, too," Bufton said. "We're not trying to shut down their business, as (DePorter) might have indicated. We want them to thrive. That's good for us, as it is for them."

Mayor Brad Stephens said Wednesday he understands DePorter's view. But he said he also previously told DePorter that MB Financial Park - the village's popular restaurant and entertainment area - has gated parking. And the Holiday Inn is the only hotel in Rosemont without a gated lot, the mayor said.

"I hope they work things out," Stephens said.