Burr Ridge Official Denied Knowing Of Costco Possibility

BURR RIDGE, IL – In April, a top Burr Ridge official told Patch he was unaware of whether Costco was under consideration as part of the redevelopment of an old industrial property.

But Village Administrator Evan Walter's emails show otherwise.

For the better part of a year, Walter was in contact with Costco's consultant and, at one point, the property owner's real estate agency about the chain store.

Check Burr Ridge's emails about the old CNH property and Costco.

Last year, Walter privately said that Costco must be part of any redevelopment of the CNH site at 6900 Veterans Boulevard.

In an April 4 email, Patch asked Walter, "A reader asked whether Costco was considering building a facility at the CNH site. Do you know about that?"

Walter said he had no such knowledge.

"The Village has not yet had the opportunity to meet with any developer regarding the CNH project, and so have no information as to what may or may not be under consideration as part of any proposed overall development," Walter said.

Asked further about the issue, Walter wrote, "(W)e have had no contact with specific developers at this time, nor have we been made aware of any overall proposals or specific businesses who may or may not be part of a prospective developer's vision for the property."

But his own emails contradict that statement.

In fact, CNH indicated it wanted developers to speak with the village about the property before any decisions were made.

In a November email, Walter said the village had about 10 calls with developers, saying they wrapped up about a month earlier.

The previous September, developer High Street Logistics Properties wanted to meet Walter about the CNH site. A High Street representative said her firm was "more charming" in person.

Walter, instead, set up a Zoom session.

In November, Walter told Costco's consultant, Mike Stratis, also a Burr Ridge plan commissioner, that he had spoken with IDI Group about the property.

Walter seemed unimpressed with IDI. He noted CNH's requirement that developers speak with the village. He said it felt like IDI was simply trying to "check that box" during the half-hour phone conversation.

At least a month before responding to Patch, Walter was informed that Bridge Industrial appeared to be on track to buying the property. Emails showed that Bridge was interested in including Costco in the development.

Bridge entered a preliminary agreement with CNH over the summer.

On Thursday, Walter responded to Patch's inquiry about his April 4 statements.

"I interpreted your question to me some months ago was to be asking if the Village had been approached by developers being defined as the Village speaking to anyone on the subject of CNH at any point," Walter said. "The answer is of course, yes. I interpreted your original question to mean 'did the Village ever receive an approach by a developer with a plan or intent to bring forward a zoning petition,' meaning that you wanted to know more about any formal proposals that had been brought forward."

Walter continued, "I was under the impression that it was already public knowledge at the time that the Village had been approached in any manner by other developers, but had not received any follow-up communication beyond the initial point of contact. The Village receives development inquiries routinely about numerous pieces of property, but never hears from them again. I have never communicated with anyone that we have been approached if there is no follow up."

Stratis noted a couple of times in his emails to Walter that Costco did not want information to be released about its interest prematurely.

In July, the Burr Ridge Park District board held a closed meeting about the planned development of the CNH site, which is next to Harvester Park.

At the meeting, Bridge's sketch of the proposed development was apparently circulated. That document leaked, with Walter privately accusing a park board member of breaching "executive session decorum."

After the sketch was distributed, the village issued a statement in early August. It was Burr Ridge's first public acknowledgment of the possibility of the chain store.

Nearby residents have expressed concern about a next-door Costco, starting a petition.

On Tuesday, Patch reported about Walter's November email to Stratis, Costco's consultant. Walter said Costco "must be included in any development (understanding that nobody can compel Costco to participate)."

Patch asked Walter on Tuesday whether that was still the village's position. He quickly emailed back, saying, "The Village has not, does not and will not require any developer to provide Costco as part of any development."

In the August statement, the village said the planned development would include a Costco store, a limited-hours gas station and a two-story regional headquarters office building.

The village also said another million square feet of additional space would be for a business park and light industry.

No formal proposal has been submitted. The village has promised hearings on any plan.

Stratis, the plan commissioner, said he would not take part in any votes or discussions about the project if Costco is included.