Wheeling approves TIF funds for Turnkey ID

A local business in Wheeling got approval from the village board to expand its parking lot and create a small park with TIF district money on Monday Night

Turnkey ID, a networking company on Milwaukee Avenue, requested using tax increment financing district funds for improvements, including adding 10 additional parking spaces and creating a small ‘pocket' park.

The most money the company can request would be $79,000, but the exact cost will be determined at later meetings as specific plans and proposals are drawn up.

Before approval, some board members expressed concern about using TIF money, which is typically tapped to improve a blighted area, not on a part of town that is already successful.

“Are we getting too off track with what a TIF is really there for, because this area is not blighted at all,” said Trustee Ray Lang.

However, Trustee Kenneth Brady supported the added parking because of the location along Milwaukee Avenue, and he said he hopes it will be a spot for people to park as they come enjoy the downtown area in the evening hours.

Trustee Dean Argiris said that although TIF money has been used on blighted areas in the past, he also thinks it should be used to promote and keep local businesses, such as Turnkey ID, in town.

“Anytime we can help an existing business reinvest is a win-win for the village,” Argiris said.

Owner David Kolssak said his family has been in Wheeling since 1974 and that he has spent his entire life working and living on Milwaukee Avenue.

“I'm committed to this community and I think the TIF district exists for the benefit of business owners and the community at large,” Kolssak said he is also working on plans to expand his business in Wheeling, which he will bring before the board later this fall.

He added that he would like to create the park to honor his father, who has operated Kolssak Funeral Home at its Wheeling location since the 1970s.

“I'm talking about a nice, stately little place that if someone sits there they'll hear some water trickling, but also the thousands of cars that go by will say ‘Wheeling is a great place,'” he said.