Plan For Former Bess Site Receives Final 'Significant' Approval

GLENVIEW, IL — Despite a recent lawsuit from neighbors opposing the project, it appears a plan to redevelop the former Bess Hardware site in downtown Glenview is moving forward. The Village Appearance Commission granted preliminary approval Thursday for the Drake Group to proceed with its mixed-use development for the vacant 1-acre parcel at 1850 Glenview Road that has sat vacant for nearly a decade.

Thursday's split decision was described as the "last significant commission approval for this long-pending redevelopment project to proceed," by the group, Friends of Downtown Glenview.

The five-story design calls for 68 "luxury" rental units, the majority of which would be one-bedroom apartments ranging between about 700 to 900 square feet. The ground floor would also include 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail space, which would be occupied entirely by bakery Sweet Mandy B's. It would also include 88 parking spaces.

Downtown Glenview Development Wins Preliminary Board Approval

Earlier this month, the Station Place Townhouse Condominium Association, Prairie Street Townhomes Condominium Association and several individual property owners joined together to sue the Village, claiming the development is too big and dense for its location. Residents and dissenting trustees have long raised concerns about the density of the development, its appearance and its impact on parking and traffic. Nearly 1,000 people signed a petition opposing the development back in February.

Glenview Approves Sale Of Former Bess Hardware Site

Stay Patched In!

• Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Glenview news
• Check out the Events Calendar for what’s going on in Glenview
• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Like the Glenview Patch on Facebook
• Patch Mobile: Get app for iPhone and Android