Village Targets Janes Plaza Shopping Center With Eminent Domain Action

The Woodridge Village Board approved and ordinance last week to take eminent domain action to acquire the Janes Plaza Shopping Center. 

According to a village news release, the village and the property owners couldn't come an agreement after "lengthy negotiations." 

During the summer of 2012 Woodridge amended its Janes Avenue Tax Increment Financing District plan. The change went into effect after several months of Village Board consideration and public input. The change allowed for TIF dollars to be used to purchase property and contribute toward the development of an Athletic Recreation Center to be built and financed by the Woodridge Park District. 

In November, the Woodridge Village Board authorized staff to negotiate the purchase of the shopping center at the northeast corner of Janes Avenue and 83rd Street for the development of the ARC at that location.  

"While the village is hopeful that the parties can come to an agreement on the purchase price, it is important for the community to move forward to acquire the property so that the objectives of the Janes Avenue TIF plan can be accomplished," according to the news release.

The Janes Avenue TIF District was created by the Village in 1995 to encourage redevelopment in a portion of the community that includes the Waterbury residential complex, Doves Landing Single Family Residential Subdivision and the commercial properties at the northeast and northwest corners of Janes Avenue and 83rd Street.

The shopping center houses 7-Eleven and other businesses. Doing so would require approval by the Woodridge village board. The lot is located in one of Woodridge’s tax increment financing, or TIF, district. In a TIF district, tax money generated by the area can be used for development and improvements to the area.

Read more about the Athletic Recreation Center plans.