Wheaton Jewel property is not for the taking

Until about a year ago, one solution for Wheaton's downtown Jewel Food Store debacle would've been to operate under an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" motto.

But changes to the use of eminent domain in Illinois have made it difficult for a municipality to condemn one retail use so another business can locate on the property.

"I don't even see that on the table," Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk said of condemnation. "It's not even in the room."

That leaves Wheaton with perhaps only two main options. Both involve somewhat of a waiting game.

Wheaton must wait for CVS and Supervalu to sort out their co-ownership of the Willow Avenue Jewel. Without that, city officials say it's pointless to even discuss renovating the Jewel. Two competing owners are unlikely to agree to the same renovation plan.

Should CVS and Supervalu ink a divorce, then the fate of the property comes into play again. That likely would involve the renovation, closure or sale of the site as the city heaps on the pressure to have a larger grocery downtown.

In terms of renovation, the city wants a grocery store of at least 25,000 square feet with a pharmacy and liquor sales. It would have either rooftop or underground parking, in addition to the existing lot.

No one wants to see the store closed and vacant. That leaves only a sale of the land on the table. Supervalu or CVS is unlikely to sell to a direct competitor, yet that's exactly what the city wants.

The most eligible buyer may then become the city itself.

"I certainly would hope not, but that certainly might have to be an option," City Manager Don Rose said. "Obviously, it comes down to dollars. Then we get back to the old debate we've been having for months -- are you willing to help a private entity do their business?"

The precedent for the city doing just that sits right across the street from the downtown Jewel. The city pumped $1.4 million into the Block 316 property for land costs alone.

But, unlike that project, the most vocal critic of using tax dollars for such projects said he would support the city buying the property, or giving financial assistance a new grocery store.

"I'm not a big fan of the city buying land," Councilman Phil Suess said. "Once we buy land, we tend to give it away for nothing. But you have to look at what's the public benefit. I think there's a very strong public benefit in maintaining a grocery store there."

Part of that may involve more sales tax dollars from a larger store.

Mayor Mike Gresk said all those discussions are a long way down the line.

"I only wish we could have a more forceful role in this," Gresk said. "I don't believe there is a silver bullet here."