One lawsuit later, and Libertyville eyesore is history

Legal action prompted what years of complaining couldn't with Wednesday's demolition of a Libertyville eyesore.

A vacant gas station on the heavily traveled corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Route 176 had been an irritant for years to an aesthetics-conscious village board.

But a resolution moved much more quickly after the village in August filed suit against Roadmaster Investment Co., and several others involved with the property.

The complaint alleged the boarded up former Shell service station had become a nuisance in violation of village code and should be torn down.

A demolition crew made quick work Wednesday morning of removing the station, which had been vacant at least eight years. The pavement on the entire corner lot also was to be removed. The land will be graded and seeded.

Plans to develop the site have surfaced from time to time, but nothing specific has been filed with the village. The property is zoned for commercial use but the former gas station required variances that would not automatically transfer to anything new that might be built.

The complaint had called for fines of up to $500 per day, but it was unclear how much if anything the village might collect.

"There's a settlement agreement in the works," Village Administrator Kevin Bowens said.

Graham Enterprises Inc., which operates a Citgo gas station and car wash across the street, was named as a defendant in the complaint. A partner in the business did not return a phone call for comment on potential future plans.

The demolition brings the village closer to its goal of finding resolutions for vacant properties.

"We can check one off," Bowens said.

Still to be dealt with is a partially completed specialty grocery store at the former Frank's Nursery and Crafts site, 1600 S. Milwaukee Ave. A similar complaint was filed in July against the owners of that property, but it is still in progress.

Bowens said the village also wants action on the former Hitchin' Post hotel on Milwaukee and Route 137, which has been vacant for a few years.