Mount Prospect trustees want downtown businesses to help cover valet parking costs

Mount Prospect is rethinking a valet parking program for downtown restaurants that began two years ago.

The village board postponed renewing an agreement with FiveStar Valet after trustees discussed the program’s future at Tuesday’s board meeting.

The village hired FiveStar in 2024 to serve the restaurants in the “small triangle” bounded by Route 83, Busse Avenue and Northwest Highway. Today, three restaurants operate there — The Prospect, Station 34 and the Mount Prospect Public House.

The program could be scrapped or the village may ask restaurants to chip in on costs.

Community Development Director Jason Shallcross said only 63 parking stalls serve six businesses, including the restaurants.

Walking to them across Route 83 and Northwest Highway can be challenging, he said. FiveStar parks an average of 100 vehicles per weekend, mostly in the West Metra parking lot.

The village currently pays about $43,000 per year for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The proposed agreement would drop Thursdays, but also expand the service to restaurants along Prospect Avenue south of the tracks for $67,000 annually.

Many trustees believe businesses should pay all or some of those costs.

“I’m not saying not to do it,” Trustee William Grossi said. “But I don’t think this village should pay for it.”

The village installed a crosswalk to make access easier from the triangle to the Emerson Street parking deck across Route 83, he noted.

As for the south side of the tracks, Grossi said the village purchased the St. Mark Lutheran Church property to provide extra parking.

Although Trustee Colleen Saccotelli said she loves the concept of valet parking downtown, she wants restaurants to shoulder more of the cost.

Shallcross said staff has discussed cost-sharing with triangle restaurants, but they are not open to it. Restaurants on Prospect Avenue, he said, have already paid for tables, chairs, umbrellas, planters, lighting and banners for the alfresco dining area.

Trustee Beth DiPrima suggested adding surface parking on the south side by demolishing the recreation center and parsonage on the St. Mark’s property.

Station 34 owner Joe Irick said valet parking is not a luxury, but a necessity. When he opened in 2019, he filled the entire triangle lot most of the week on his own. Now there are three restaurants competing for the same spaces. He added the Emerson deck goes largely unused except by employees of these affected businesses.

Michael Munao, owner of FiveStar Valet, said the village has become a destination. Visitors expect the valet option now.

The village is expected to revisit the matter later this month.