Arlington Heights uses TIF funds to reimburse memory care developer

Arlington Heights will reimburse developers of a new memory care facility with tax increment financing money for public street and sewer upgrades on the south side of the village.

The village board Monday approved a $265,579 payment to The LaSalle Group, developers of Autumn Leaves Memory Care, 1625 S. Arlington Heights Road. The money comes from the TIF 4 Redevelopment Plan budget, which had allocated $500,000 for the project if needed.

As part of construction on the 29,000-square-foot Autumn Leaves facility, developers expanded and completed Council Trail Road beyond what was required in the project, installed a public sidewalk and extended the storm sewer serving the project and surrounding areas, said Village Manager Randy Recklaus.

"There were public benefits to the improvements they did," he said.

Village officials negotiated with developers for some time before settling on the reimbursement approved Monday, Recklaus said.

TIF 4 includes the area near the intersection of Golf and Arlington Heights roads, including the International Plaza shopping center. The TIF recently was extended to allow more time for development of the shopping center, which has been stalled for years by lawsuits and the recession.

Officials said the new road construction and sewer upgrades near Autumn Leaves will alleviate flooding at nearby parks and is a good step toward what they hope will be more development in the area.

"This is something we've talked about. It was definitely needed on the south side of Arlington Heights," said Trustee John Scaletta. "I think residents who live in that area and those that come to visit the southern part of the village or whose kids have games at those parks are definitely very appreciative of this."

Opened in May 2105, Autumn Leaves is home to 46 residents with different forms of memory impairment.