Politics & Government

Woodridge Hires Firm to Relocate Janes Plaza Businesses

The Village is attempting to seize the plaza under eminent domain in order to build an athletic recreation center.

The Woodridge Village Board has authorized a payment of up to $60,000 to Annette Favia Relocaton Consulting Service, Inc. in order to develop a plan for relocating the businesses in Janes Plaza, which the Village is attempting to seize through eminent domain, the Chicago Tribune reports.

According to the paper, the Janes Plaza site is considered a prime candidate for the building of an athletic recreation center (a facility that surveys show residents want,) particularly because the property is in a tax-increment-financing district, so over $5 million in TIF dollars could be put towards the nearly $16 million athletic center.

(In a TIF district, tax money generated by the area can be used for development and improvements to the area.) 

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However, the eminent-domain process requires the Village to help businesses relocate. "The company will provide information on available and comparable properties and (develop) a relocation budget for each tenant,” the paper quoted Woodridge Village Administrator Kathleen Rush telling the Village Board.

Additionally, the eminent-domain seizure is scheduled for a February jury trial, the paper said. 

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The Board approved an ordinance in February 2013 to take eminent domain action to acquire the plaza, saying that the village and the property owners couldn't come an agreement after "lengthy negotiations." 

The shopping center currently houses Gia’s Pizzeria, a 7-Eleven, Modern Dry Professional Dry Cleaners an Allstate insurance office and an H&R Block office.


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