Businessman Halts Efforts for Banquet Hall in Downtown Frankfort

A local businessman behind plans for a controversial banquet center in downtown Frankfort has decided to hold off on the project—for now.

“I want to thank the plan commission for the positive vote and objective review of the merits of my proposal,” said Joe Pascale, applicant for the “Prairie Park Place” project. ”As part of the public process I have received several ideas that I think may add value to my proposal and the citizens of Frankfort, but will require more time to do proper due diligence.”

Village officials learned Monday, July 13, that Pascale has postponed his application for the event center.

The Village purchased the Fox Lumber site in 2009 for the purpose of commercial redevelopment. The 9,000-square-foot event center was proposed for the former Fox Lumber property lumber yard area. The plan incensed many in the downtown area, who called the project, “the wrong venue in this wrong space.” The property on which the proposed hall would have sat abuts green space and Old Plank Trail. A Facebook group called “Friends of Old Plank Trail” was formed, where supporters have gathered to collect signatures on a petition to Frankfort officials, in an effort to stop the project.

“I’m just a person in town who’s looking out for my neighbors,” said Pam Biesen, who has openly opposed the project.

Concerns about the project included congestion and parking in the downtown area, in addition to improper use of green space.

“I’ve lived in Frankfort for 32 years,” Biesen said. ”I’m very passionate about this town, because it’s very important to me. I just feel like suddenly, in the last 18 months, 24 months, our little town has been discovered, and it’s being snatched out from under us.”

Village Administrator Jerry Ducay said he respects residents’ concerns, and that like them, officials also want to preserve the feel of the downtown.

“I think most of the people that are in the downtown area, most of them agree that’s what’s been done downtown has been positive,” he said. “What we’ve done over the past 20 years, has returned a lot of the uniqueness, the essence. It’s a unique environment that brings people back to a special place, time in their life. Everybody I think agrees with that. Everybody has enjoyed that, shares the common desire to see that develop in the proper way.”

Village board action on the proposed event center project would have occurred later this fall.

“Joe Pascale is a longtime resident and respected business owner in our community,” said Mayor Jim Holland. “We appreciate his continued interest in Frankfort and openness to the ideas of others.”