Developers of a controversial high-rise project in downtown Arlington Heights have begun demolition of the remaining buildings at the site and expect to break ground sometime in the next several weeks.
Work on the development may mark an end to the long battle over the 13-story project, which includes 100 luxury condominiums, more than 25 restaurants and shops with indoor and outdoor dining and a six-screen movie theater.
The project, developed by Wheeling-based Joseph Freed and Associates, will be built on land bordered by Sigwalt Street, Arlington Heights Road, Evergreen Avenue and the Metra/Union Pacific Northwest Line railroad tracks. It is expected to daily draw thousands of residents and patrons to downtown Arlington Heights.
Many residents have protested the project, saying it will ruin the tranquility that they enjoy and create unneeded traffic congestion. They formed a group called The Shadow Project and collected 6,290 signatures from residents opposed to the development.
However, the Village Board has already given final approval to the project design. The final decision on the development will come Monday when village trustees vote on whether to vacate one block of Davis Street for the project. Board approval is considered just a formality, said Village Planner William Enright.
“It’s pretty much over and done with, except for the final vote on Monday, and we anticipate it will be approved,” Enright said.
Members of the Shadow Project hope to halt the project through a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Davis Street closure.
Still, developers expect the battle over the project is over. After the excavation and demolition is completed within the next several days, they plan to break ground for construction next month, said Chuck FioRito, a company vice president.
FioRito expects the entire development to be constructed by November 1998.
