The city of Park Ridge has relinquished ownership of a former alley in return for a $1 payment.
The City Council voted 6-1 on March 16 to vacate the alley behind 826 W. Touhy Ave., the site of the former Napleton car dealership, in order for a developer to construct a proposed $20 million Fitness Formula Club on the property.
The alley, which elected officials were told was not a public thoroughfare and had no real use to the city, was located adjacent to the Metra railroad tracks on the northern part of the site.
During earlier council meetings, some elected officials questioned why the city had not received an appraisal of the alley, which reportedly measures 6,957 square feet.
On March 16, Finance Director Joe Gilmore said he estimated the land’s value at just more than $2,200 based on an unbuildable lot on Dee Road that sold for $1,000 and was roughly half the square footage. .
This estimated value prompted 3rd Ward Ald. Jim Smith to make a motion that the city seek $2,000 in compensation for the alley vacation, but the motion died after failing to receive a second from any aldermen. Smith went on to vote against the main motion to vacate the alley in return for $1 from the owner of 826 W. Touhy Ave.
Sixth Ward Ald. Marc Mazzuca was one of the elected officials who had questioned why city staff had not looked into the potential value of the land before presenting the $1 proposal to the council.
“We can look at these [numbers] and say the value probably isn’t zero, but is it so dramatic that we should hold this up?” he said on March 16. “I don’t believe….that we should hold this up.”
@Jen_Pioneer
