Former restaurant site could become gateway to Vernon Hills park
A busy corner in Vernon Hills that has been home to a succession of restaurants through the years likely will be acquired as a gateway for the village's flagship park.
Vernon Hills Park District officials already have agreed, and the village board is expected to vote next week to buy about 3 acres including the former Opa! restaurant at Lakeview and Hawthorn parkways for $2.2 million.
The village would contribute $1.5 million and the park district $700,000 toward the purchase in what is described as another in a history of collaborative efforts. The property overlooking Little Bear Lake would become an extension of Century Park, which with 113 acres of land and water is the district's largest park.
"From a park district standpoint, any time we can acquire some valuable green space, we're excited," said Jeff Fougerousse, executive director.
The park district would acquire the site from developer Seymour "Sy" Taxman and own it going forward. It would be responsible for demolishing the building after the closing expected in late July.
"It's a lot more inviting as an entry," Fougerousse said. "There's no concrete design yet that's been approved. We want to be respectful of their (village) contribution to the effort."
Taxman developed the Vernon Hills Town Center at routes 45 and 21 and has a good relationship with village officials. However, his idea two years ago for 264 apartments overlooking the lakes and park was rejected by the village board as being too dense. The board in 2008 also rejected a plan by a different developer for condos there. Taxman did not return with a revised plan and ultimately sold an adjoining portion of the land overlooking the lake and park to Rust-Oleum, which converted it to a training center.
Although on the market since that time, the 8,900-square-foot Opa! was a tough sell, Village Manager John Kalmar said.
"I believe the building became antiquated in this market. It's a very large building for a restaurant. It was a difficult building to look at from a redevelopment standpoint," he said.
"I think the genesis was, here's an opportunity to expand and enhance a great amenity, which is Century Park."
The board on Tuesday will consider the $1.5 million payment to the park district for the purchase. The deal evolved after Mayor Roger Byrne approached park district officials. Byrne said since neither the board nor residents favored a residential use, the location would be "a nice extension of the existing open space."
"This isn't without precedent," he added. "I'm sure it will work out nice and people will enjoy the vista that will be created."
Over the years, the village has loaned the park district funds, which was the case decades ago involving land for the Sullivan Community Center and Family Aquatic Center.
In late 2012, a $2.025 million low-interest village loan allowed the district to buy the former YMCA building and property, now known as the Lakeview Fitness Center.
Kalmar also noted the district built a maintenance facility on village-owned property bordering Century Park in exchange for its old building, which is used for storage, and other cooperative efforts involving various festivals.
The new look will include some parking, but the overall picture is to be determined.
"We want to put it out to the community," Fougerousse said. "We'll invite feedback about what people would like to see in terms of development."
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