West Dundee approves redevelopment deal with Roeser

West Dundee is moving forward with plans to revitalize a visually prominent part of its downtown.

For months, village officials and a private investor, Otto Engineering President Tom Roeser, have been negotiating redevelopment plans for the southeast corner of First and Main streets - the first cluster of West Dundee properties visitors see when crossing the Fox River from the east, Roeser said.

Following an executive session Monday, the village board voted 4-1 to approve a redevelopment agreement with Roeser. The deal outlines their mutual decision to purchase six parcels on that corner from Greg Samata, a former West Dundee businessman.

"We're looking forward to working in partnership with Otto Engineering," said Village Manager Joe Cavallaro. "This is really a major project in implementing and kicking off the recently adopted downtown plan."

Trustee Dan Wilbrandt opposed the measure.

As part of the agreement, Roeser will purchase and renovate the former bowling alley at 101 S. First St. The roughly $1.5 million project will turn the building into office space with some room for retail, Roeser said.

"In general, my incentive is to invest in the area so that all property values will go up, including the ones that I own," Roeser said. "I really think we can do something great here."

West Dundee, in turn, will assist by paying no more than $350,000 of the project costs and will be involved in the redevelopment process, Cavallaro said.

The village plans to purchase and redevelop the five other parcels: 89, 91, 93 and 99 W. Main St., as well as a vacant riverside property.

"The property acquisition was contingent on the successful negotiation between the village and Otto Engineering," Cavallaro said.

The village is expected to spend between $1.8 million and $2 million on the entire redevelopment of that corner, which also contains a VFW and two village-owned buildings, according to village documents.

A site plan will be developed in the near future, Cavallaro added.

To offset the project costs, Cavallaro said, officials may institute a business development district tax, or additional sales tax to help foster redevelopment in a certain area. The concept will be presented to the village board early next year, he said.

Cavallaro said preliminary plans anticipate the demolition of 89, 91 and 93 W. Main St. If officials later decide to demolish 99 W. Main St., which houses Around the Corner Candy, the store would likely move into the former bowling alley, he said.

Roeser said he expects the area to become more pedestrian friendly with the addition of a riverfront park.