Politics & Government

Consultant: Raze or Repair Darien's 'Eyesore' Strip Mall

The consultant said the mall on Cass between 75th and Plainfield probably needs to be torn down and rebuilt in order to attract "national tenants."

A consultant hired by the City of Darien has advised that the City either tear down or place significant investment into repairing a strip mall owned by the City along Cass Avenue between 75th Street and Plainfield Road, the Chicago Tribune reports.

According to the paper, Wayne Marth, vice president of director of business development at Shive-Hattery, said that the building needs facade improvements, a new roof, sprinkler-system improvements and more, renovations that could cost 75 percent of the cost of a brand-new building.

"[The strip mall is] an eyesore, in my opinion. The property is probably worthless with that building on it," the paper quoted Marth telling the City Council. "The remodeling can be done, but you would have the same kind of tenants... National tenants will not want to come."

City officials are hoping that a proposed Chase bank branch will soon be built near the strip mall (on a site purchased and cleaned up by the city) and revitalize interest in the area, the paper said.

Current tenants in the strip mall include Heritage Food and Liquor, Jim's Quality Meats, El Burrito Loco, a dry cleaners and a few other businesses.

Read the full story at the Chicago Tribune website.


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