Barrington close to picking developer for downtown project
Barrington trustees Monday were poised to sign an agreement with a specific developer for a long-planned downtown redevelopment project but realized more discussions were needed first.
It’s now hoped that the agreement for a public-private partnership for the redevelopment of the southwest corner of Hough (Route 59) and Main (Lake-Cook Road) streets will be ready to be signed at the village board’s Dec. 12 meeting, Village Manager Jeff Lawler said.
He confirmed that talks are focusing on one particular development group of the four the village first interviewed in June — Tartan Realty Group along with Harlem Irving Cos.; Hamra Enterprises Inc.; Bradford Real Estate Cos.; and Arthur Hill and Co.
But he would not say which group the village is leaning toward nor what particular type of commercial space it’s envisioning.
Each of the groups brought its own ideas to the table last summer. But as each firm is experienced in what works and what doesn’t in a downtown development, there wasn’t a radical difference of opinion among the ideas, Lawler said.
The village has long since bought the buildings standing along the southwest corner of Hough and Main streets and recently authorized two of them for demolition.
Work on tearing down the former Chase Bank building at 120 S. Hough St. and the former Chuck Hines building at 141 W. Main St. will probably begin this week and be completed in early December at the latest, Lawler said.
Workers already have completed the removal of asbestos from the bank building — the only one so affected.
In the spring, demolition will follow for two houses at 132 and 138 W. Main St. that were converted to commercial use long ago. These demolitions were held back because of the sight and sound barriers they provide neighbors.
These houses also will require asbestos removal first.
Barrington Hills-based Langos Corp. was awarded the entire demolition contract for $139,485.
The removal of the buildings makes the site more marketable, whether or not village officials reach agreement next month with the development firm they have in mind, Lawler said.