New developer could buy parcel where Bucky's gas station was proposed in Winfield

Plans for a proposed Bucky's gas station in Winfield have been scrapped after the developer failed to finalize the purchase of land.

But Village President Erik Spande says another commercial developer wants to buy the site at the southwest corner of Roosevelt and Winfield roads.

"The specifics of the contract are currently under review by the village attorney and village staff," Spande said. Once the contract is ready, the village board will take a formal vote.

In the meantime, Spande said, crews were at the property Thursday removing trees.

A site plan was approved last fall when Winfield officials granted permission for the Bucky's to be built on the roughly 7.5-acres. Because the site includes wetlands, the village and property owner worked with DuPage County to determine where construction could take place.

"The biggest uncertainty with the property - how to deal with the wetlands - was resolved," Spande said. "So the property is now shovel ready."

The only thing the Bucky's developer had to do was complete the purchase of the land.

"He had a contract with the village to purchase the property," Spande said, but the developer missed multiple closing dates.

The village board last month sent a letter to the developer informing him he was in breach of contract.

Spande said the developer was able to get the purchase contract on the property because he was willing to pay $100,000 more than the asking price. He said other developers were disappointed when they didn't get the contract.

With Bucky's out of the picture, Spande said there has been "intense" interest in the property.

He said the new developer is "proceeding with all due haste."

"They're feeling some sense of urgency to get the project moving forward," he said.