Second eyesore gets Libertyville's attention

Another eyesore on Libertyville's hit list could end up in court.

The village has filed suit against Roadmaster Investment Co., and other parties regarding a gas station on the busy corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Route 176 that was vacated more than eight years ago.

The complaint filed in Lake County circuit court alleges the boarded up building has become a nuisance in violation of village code and should be demolished. It also calls for fines of up to $500 per day, and the clock has been ticking for more than two months.

It follows a notice the village sent in May by certified mail giving the owners 60 days to remove the building or face "appropriate" action to have that done.

This is the second building targeted by the village in the past two weeks. The first was a similar complaint filed against developers of a partially constructed Fresh Foods store, 1600 South Milwaukee Ave., on Libertyville's southern gateway.

"It's an eyesore," Mayor Jeff Harger said of the former Shell gas station on Route 176.

"When the story was in about the Fresh Foods suit, we got an e-mail from a resident saying, `That's nice but what about the Shell station?'"

Dealing with vacant properties, including the gas station and Fresh Food sites, were among the village board's goals for 2008-09.

The board also wanted action at a third location, the southwest corner of Lake Street and Milwaukee Avenue. Development of a mixed use commercial and residential project there is well under way.

"It's the hat trick," Harger said.

According to the complaint filed last week, the gas station was vacated in January 2000, although a village news release says it has been unoccupied since 1998.

"On numerous occasions, village officials have met with individuals interested in the property and have offered assistance in finding new businesses to occupy the space, including other oil companies, however the property has remained vacant and boarded up," the release states.

Harger said the former gas station has been a concern for years. More than 30,000 travelers each day pass by, and it has become an embarrassing blemish for a town that prides itself on aesthetics, he said.

Graham Enterprise Inc., is also named as a defendant.

John Graham, a partner in the business, said Wednesday the company was working toward a solution but declined further comment. The company operates the Citgo station and car wash across the street at 109 S. Milwaukee Ave.

The former Shell site is zoned for commercial use but apparently had variances attached.

Village staff previously said removing the building would start the process over and there would be no guarantee a new development would get the same considerations, although Harger has said the village would be willing to work with the owners.

Defendants in both cases have 30 days to file a response. No court dates have been scheduled.