La Grange Condo Project Still Up In Air; Litigation Continues

LA GRANGE, IL – The demolition of the old Jackson Square antique mall building is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

In April, Jonathan Robinson, a neighbor of the proposed project, sued the village and the developer, Dan Spain, owner of La Grange's The Elm restaurant.

Cook County Judge Renee Jackson has prohibited the building's teardown while the litigation continues.

Last month, Jackson rejected the village's request to throw out the lawsuit.

The demolition was originally scheduled for early last May.

Spain, a La Grange Park resident, plans to demolish the building at 112 E. Burlington Ave. and build a 39-unit, four-story condo complex.

In his lawsuit, Robinson alleged the village failed to adhere to minimal setbacks and loading space requirements.

He also contended the village failed to give him a "meaningful opportunity" to say how the proposed 39-unit complex would pose a hardship on his property.

The village maintained it followed the law.

In January, the Village Board voted unanimously for the teardown and condo complex. Many residents objected to demolishing the historic building.

In an email to Patch last week, Robinson said the judge agreed his claims deserved to be heard.

"I believe residents should be able to count on a fair public process when a project could change their neighborhood," Robinson said.

According to village documents, the developer's requested setbacks were "significantly violating" Robinson's property.

Under La Grange's project agreement, Spain's Five South Six is covering the village's legal costs in the lawsuit, which the firm is doing.

The Jackson Square mall has moved to 800 E. 31st St. in La Grange Park.