Village to finance cleanup

ROMEOVILLE -- The downtown area along the east corridor of Illinois 53 is just as important to Romeoville as the Weber Road corridor to the west, Village Manager Steve Gulden said.

Hoping to encourage redevelopment on a vacant site that used to house Danny Boy's restaurant and Romeoville Liquor properties, village trustees agreed to pay up to $60,000 toward environmental cleanup and demolition costs.

Leaking underground tanks from a nearby gas station may be the culprit, said Gulden.

"We will try to get $30,000 reimbursement from the gas station franchise of Phillips 66."

The area along the Illinois 53 corridor is being redeveloped to bring more people friendly business in what is being called the downtown redevelopment project.

"This agreement between the owner of the property and the village goes with our game plan for this area," said Mayor John Noak. "The benefits in helping are in the best interest of the village."

The terms of the agreement state the village will front the $60,000 with the understanding that $30,000 will be repaid to the village when there is a sale of the property or a building permit issued. The village also agreed to pay $10,000 toward the cost of demolishing existing structures, and would not be repaid to the village.

Under the Illinois Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, a municipality can finance projects in the redevelopment area using tax increment money to pay for environmental remedies and demolition. The property falls within the Marquette and the Downtown TIF Districts and qualifies for the remedial work and demolition.

"This will help get rid of an eyesore and will promote further development of property in this area," said Gulden. He expects work to begin within 30 to 60 days.

"We are merely priming the pump with this ordinance," said village attorney Richard Vogel.

A Walgreens is also slated to be built along the eastern corridor of Illinois 53 in the downtown area. Work has already begun on the site as workers clear the land prior to building.