Buffalo Grove plan commission likes what it sees with Town Center redevelopment plan
The group behind the proposed $150 million redevelopment of Buffalo Grove's Town Center outlined their project Wednesday before the village's planning and zoning commission.
Comments from village staff, commissioners, and members of the public indicated support for the proposal, which would bring a new grocery store, apartments, retail space and entertainment venues to the struggling shopping center at Lake-Cook and McHenry roads.
As part of the proposal, Kensington Development Group LLC would receive as much as $24.75 million in financial incentives from the village through a tax increment financing district.
The first phase of the work will involve demolition of the existing shopping center south of Old Checker Road and the construction of a grocery store and a seven-story building with 280 apartments, a parking deck and first-floor retail space.
John Schoditsch, a principle at Kensington, emphasized the importance of having a grocery in attracting the residential component, saying it was even more important than a train station.
"Frankly, if we didn't have a grocery component, we wouldn't be able to find a residential partner," he said.
A Mexican fast casual restaurant, Guzman y Gomez, which currently has a Naperville location, will occupy an outlot in the development. The redevelopment also will add a village green for community events.
The second phase will be a renovation of the property to the north of Old Checker Road. Schoditsch said certain existing tenants, including Giordano's restaurant, will be encouraged to stay.
The Boston Market, Burger King and Bowlero there now are not under contract to Kensington.
Commissioner Zill Khan asked how the new grocery store would compete with the long-established Jewel store across the street.
"There is definitely room for more competition," Schoditsch replied. "I think overall, they chose this site for the reason that they think it is an excellent grocery store site, because of the visibility and access, and they really believe in it."
Among the residents providing comment was Leon Gopon, who blamed previous village trustees for the current struggles at Town Center.
"People sitting up there thought they were the experts and made all the decisions," he said, "They wanted downtown Highland Park. Well, this is not downtown Highland Park. It's Buffalo Grove.
"My impression right now is we have a developer," Gopon added. "The developer came here. We didn't go looking for him. We didn't twist his arm. We should let the developer develop."