Get ready to hoist a Guinness in downtown Aurora

Downtown Aurora became just a tad more Irish Tuesday night as aldermen cleared the way for the new Ballydoyle Irish Pub to open downtown.

Ballydoyle owner Phil Cullen said he intends to bring to downtown an Irish pub -- and 70 jobs -- similar to the popular concert venue and restaurant of the same name that he's operated for five years in Downers Grove.

Cullen has purchased 28 and 42 New York St., a 38,000-square-foot building along the riverfront. The 12,000-square-foot location would include several themed dining rooms to seat 800, a bar, party rooms and a kitchen. The remaining area to be remodeled later will house retail, office or banquet facilities.

Cullen said he's got a lot of renovation work to do, but when the facility opens later this year he expects it to be worth upward of $9 million.

Aldermen have so much faith in Cullen's dream that they have agreed to pay him $1.26 million from TIF funds when he gets the occupancy permit to help reduce up-front costs associated with the rehabilitation of the nearly 100-year-old "underutilized turn-of-the-century buildings."

Also, the city will pay Cullen $200,000 annually for each of the first five years of operation.

Aldermen believe that the investment will spur much-needed development throughout the area.

"If there is any doubt that the type and scope and quality of this business gets established, I suspect there will be a considerable number of other businesses that are going to be very interested in working here because I think it's going to mean a great deal to the development of downtown," said Alderman At Large Bob O'Connor.

Third Ward Alderwoman Stephanie Kifowit agreed, calling the business arrangement great for the city.