Shopping development in Mount Prospect delayed a year

The redevelopment of the former Tri-State Electronics property in downtown Mount Prospect as a shopping area is running a year behind schedule.

As a result, the petitioner asked the village board this week for a one-year extension of a permit for a drive-through for a Dunkin' Donuts that would anchor the Mount Prospect Station development at 200 W. Northwest Hwy. The board granted the request.

Scott Whistler, the project's representative, cited several reasons why construction that was supposed to begin last spring now likely won't start until next spring.

Whistler said obstacles included the discovery of a large heating oil tank. It was removed in late November and soil tests were conducted, but no contamination was found. Earlier, the closing on purchase of the property was delayed, which delayed planning.

"We ran into a lot of unexpected challenges," Whistler told the board Tuesday. "I think we have worked through them. Unfortunately, it delayed everything quite a bit."

Trustees expressed support for the project, noting its importance to the downtown, but Trustee Paul Hoefert did complain about the weeds that grew on the site during the summer.

"Please don't let that happen again in the middle of our downtown. It just doesn't look right. It sets the wrong tone," he said.

Whistler attributed the problem to lack of communication with the landscape people.

"I can assure you that that will not happen again," he said.