Redevelopment moving on Villa Park's North Avenue

The landscape along a Villa Park's stretch of North Avenue is expected to change soon.

Five homes will be razed in the next six weeks to make way for a much anticipated commercial redevelopment along the state route near Ardmore Avenue.

This week, the village board signed off on a land deal to enable this first major redevelopment project since the village established a tax increment financing district along the corridor two years ago.

"We're looking forward to getting something started down there," said Robert Niemann, Villa Park's acting village manager.

The Wild Fire Harley-Davidson owner Anthony "Ozzie" Giglio aims to build 20,000 square feet of retail and 10,000 square feet of restaurant space on land next to his bike dealership at 120 W. North Ave.

Construction could begin as early as spring and likely would be completed in phases over 18 months, Niemann said.

The project was made possible by a joint effort between Giglio and the village to assemble the needed land from separate owners. Each party acquired three properties, which include five residences and a lot with a billboard.

The village will pay nearly $1 million for its purchases and the building demolitions on behalf of Giglio, in lieu of funneling the incremental increases in property taxes back to the developer after the project is complete.

Meanwhile, Merlin Corp. plans to redevelop the muffler and brake shop it owns at 8 W. North Ave., Niemann said.

"To say it's good news is an understatement," Trustee David Hegland said. "Credit is due to a lot of people ... staff, Wild Fire and prior village boards."

Attempts to contact Giglio for comment were unsuccessful.