TribLocal Des Plaines - 15 2 September 2010
TRIBLOCAL.COM
Des Plaines police alcohol sting nets 20 businesses Schaumburg snaps Maine West’s 28-game win streak
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Park Ridge | Niles Morton Grove | Des Plaines
VOICE OF THE TOWN
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SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2010 | SPONSORED BY THE
Park Ridge groups still waiting for grant money
By Jon Davis
SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE
Construction progresses at the Des Plaines casino site. Part of the building’s exterior was constructed last week. TribLocal photo by Jennifer Delgado
Des Plaines casino starting to take shape
By Jennifer Delgado
TRIBLOCAL REPORTER
Park Ridge community organizations that were promised funding from the city council won support from aldermen, but the groups are no closer to getting their money. In a special session of the city council Aug. 23, aldermen approve 13 separate appropriations to community service groups. Each measure passed by a vote of either 4-2 or 5-1. But Mayor David Schmidt vowed to veto the measures at the city council’s Sept. 7 meeting, reiterating his stance that the city can ill afford to spend \$190,080 on non-essential services in the current fiscal crisis. Alds. Donald Bach, Richard DiPietro,
Thomas Carey and Robert Ryan supported each appropriation. Supporters have said that the community service and fine arts grants — which make up less than onetenth of 1 percent of the city’s budget — add tangible value to Park Ridge’s quality of life. Ald. Joseph Sweeney joined them in support of appropriations of \$55,000 for the Park Ridge Center of Concern and \$7,040 Meals on Wheels, but voted against the other requests. Ald. Frank Wsol voted against all 13. Ald. James Allegretti, an attorney, was absent from the vote because of a job commitment. DiPietro said he opposes most of the appropriations but voted for them — and will
PLEASE SEE MONEY, PAGE 2
The dry summer weather has helped workers on the Des Plaines casino and now they’re racing to get the structure up before winter sets in. In the last week, a tower, a loading dock and steel beams to support the casino have become visible. You also can now see a storm water retention system along Des Plaines River Road and a water vessel that will lie underneath the casino. There’s lots more to do before snow flies. Workers want to finish most of the casino’s exterior, including two additional steel towers and 800 parking spaces. The majority of the standing steel and concrete walls are on the western corner of the site while the vessel sits in the eastern portion. “In another couple of weeks, you’ll see the the facade and outside of the building go up,” said Charles Porter, a principal with
the Developmont Management Association that manages the casino project. Upon completion, the three towers will be equipped with LED lighting which will allow them to change colors. Along with the loading area, two additional trash and recycle docks will be built for restaurants and other services. The gaming floor will go directly above the water vessel because Illinois law mandates casinos be on water. Since the three-week labor strike in July, workers have put in extra shifts to make up for lost time. The warm, dry weather has helped them stay on track. “Unless we get hit with some wet weather, we’re very optimistic about making up that time,” Porter said. During the winter, workers will focus on interior construction while final paving and landscape projects will happen in the spring, Porter said. The casino will open next summer. jmdelgado@tribune.com
As eatery closes, city officials ponder incentive
By Jennifer Delgado
TRIBLOCAL REPORTER
Downtown Des Plaines used to be a place to meet up with friends, see a movie and grab a bite to eat. That’s harder now, with 25 vacancies in library plaza, Miner Street and a shopping square. And on Aug. 29, another shop — Sweet Remembrance Cafe — joined the list of closures. The empty store fronts have been a problem for awhile, but the city hopes a new retail incentive program will turn things around. If the city council approves the project next month, new businesses could get \$5,000 for some start-up costs.
The issue came up at a community development committee meeting Aug. 26 where final details of the project were ironed out. Some council members who attended said they hope the money revitalizes the area they once knew. “I surveyed 49 condo associations,” said Ald. Patricia Haugeberg. “People are looking for a book store, a pizza place ... that’s what we need.” The money, which could be used for physical improvements and signage, would come from a TIF fund with \$1.3 million. If businesses get the incentive, they would have to agree to stay open for at least a year
PLEASE SEE INCENTIVE, PAGE 2
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