Future of Mt. Prospect 'triangle' still an open question

The question of what to do with the “small triangle” area in downtown Mount Prospect might be rekindled once the village and local business owner Tod Curtis finalize a settlement of their six-year legal battle.

Curtis owns Ye Olde Town Inn, a pizzeria/restaurant located in the small triangle, which is bounded by Northwest Highway, Main Street and Busse Avenue.

Curtis filed a federal lawsuit against a number of village officials in 2008, accusing them of trying to drive his business out as part of their efforts to redevelop the area. Village officials have steadfastly denied his claims.

Details of the preliminary settlement agreement, which was reached over the Fourth of July weekend, have not been revealed.

Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene Juracek said Wednesday that she hasn't seen a copy yet. She said the village board will vote on the settlement agreement at a future meeting.

“I believe they are still in the process of drafting it,” she said.

“Until I see it, I really can't comment.”

While this specific legal battle is on the way to being finished, the future of the now mostly vacant triangle area remains an open question.

Redevelopment of the triangle has long been part of Mount Prospect's larger downtown-renewal efforts. In 2008, the village was moving forward with an ambitious plan to transform the area with new buildings that would house condominiums, shops and restaurants.

The village abandoned that plan in 2010 in the wake of the economic downturn.

During a recent study of redevelopment opportunities downtown, the Lakota Group, a Chicago-based consulting firm, said the triangle site remains a good redevelopment option for the village.

Lakota's report suggested two possible alternatives: Create an entertainment district there or put more emphasis on public space.

Juracek said Wednesday the village is open to new plans.

One that has already been submitted came from Curtis, whose “Gateway Centre of Mount Prospect” proposal includes a new mixed-use building along Busse Avenue. That plan is pending before the village.