Controversial plans for a 13-story condominium and theater complex in downtown Arlington Heights have cleared the last legal hurdle.
The Village Board laid the groundwork for the project to begin by voting, 7-2, to close a portion of Davis Street between Arlington Heights Road and Evergreen Avenue. The board also approved subdivision layout documents that were necessary for construction of the mixed-use development known as Arlington Town Square.
The project by Wheeling developers William Freed and Associates will be built on land roughly bordered by Sigwalt Street, Arlington Heights Road, Evergreen and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. It will include 100 condominiums, more than 25 shops and restaurants and a six-screen movie theater.
The project sparked a bitter debate among residents who object to the height of the project and who feared the development would create traffic, especially because a public street would be closed.
“I don’t like to see buildings taller than tree tops,” said Virginia Blank, a member of a citizen’s group opposed to the project. The group collected 6,290 signatures calling for a ballot initiative to gauge public support for the high-rise.
Village President Arlene Mulder and other trustees told residents they weighed the pros and cons carefully before deciding in favor of the project.
“I think that if you put a list of pros and cons, this project wins,” said trustee Virginia Kucera.
Added Mulder, “I strongly believe this is in the best interests for all of Arlington Heights both now and for future generations to come.”
Trustees Lee Hettinger and Stephen Daday voted against closing Davis Street and the final subdivision documents.
Hettinger said the project was “too tall and too massive” and that he didn’t favor closing Davis Street: “I do not believe it is prudent to be closing streets when you’re adding new buildings and new people.”
The developers said they expect the project will be completed by Christmas, 1998.
After the project was first proposed about a year ago, a group of residents calling themselves The Shadow Project quickly formed to protest the high-rise, contesting that it would ruin the tranquility and character of the village’s downtown.
Residents also opposed the closure of a block of Davis Street for the project, arguing that the street helps alleviate traffic congestion.
And while those residents are still hopeful a lawsuit they filed against the village might help block the bulldozers, many fear the fight is over.
The Shadow Project collected 6,290 signatures for a petition pushing for a referendum to gauge public support for the high-rise. But Village Board members voted not to put the issue on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Village officials argue that the project is vital in their efforts to revitalize downtown. The recent decision by Arlington International Racecourse owner Richard Duchossois to shut down racing next year, and possibly forever, only underscores the need for economic development, they argue.
