Mount Prospect buys St. Mark property for downtown parking, redevelopment

In a move aimed at securing additional downtown parking and creating another site for redevelopment, the Mount Prospect village board this week voted to buy about an acre of land from St. Mark Lutheran Church.

The board dipped into its general operating fund for the $1.45 million purchase of the St. Mark gymnasium and parsonage at 205 and 208 S. Wille St.

Community Development Director Jason Shallcross said the gymnasium has been vacant and out of use for a number of years, adding that St. Mark’s leadership approached the village about the sale.

The purchase comes with a parking agreement ensuring 30 of the parking lot’s 48 spots remain available for church and public use until the village creates 30 replacement spots within 500 feet.

Replacement parking must be maintained for 10 years, unless mutually ended or the church ceases operation for three or more months.

Shallcross said the village has completed a phase one environmental assessment of the land and anticipates closing on the property within 30 to 45 days. Demolition of the structures is slated for the spring, with the lot then becoming available for redevelopment.

“This is an exceptional deal,” Shallcross said, noting that the cost per square foot is roughly a third of other downtown transactions. “But the context is a little different. This is zoned residential.”

Mayor Paul Hoefert said he could see some kind of development positioning the site between the more dense downtown and nearby homes.

“This is not right in the core business area of the village,” he said. “I would see it as transitional. There won’t be a six-story apartment building or condominium building located there.”

Village Manager Michael Cassady said the purchase also will benefit new entertainment and dining venues on nearby Prospect Avenue.

“Acquiring this property allows us to work in additional parking to make sure these new businesses can thrive,” he said.