Palos Hills Wants Former Olympic Health & Racquetball Club Property Developed

The vacant 1.8-acre property that used to house the Palos Olympic Health & Racquetball Club nine years ago was bought this summer, yet Palos Hills officials are uncertain what the new owner’s plans are for the property.

Paul Hardison, the Palos Hills Building Commissioner, told the City Council he’s attempted to contact the new owner of the property at 11050 S. Roberts Road, but haven’t heard back from him, according to The Reporter Online.

“We’ve sent him letters and I phoned him and left voicemail messages but we haven’t been able to contact him.We have no idea what his intensions are (with the property),” Hardison told the council, The Reporter Online reported.

George Pappas, the City Attorney, told Hardison he’ll try to contact the new property owner as well.

The building of the old racquetball club is still on site, but in poor condition as it was built around forty years ago.

Palos Hills Mayor Gerald Bennett said they believe the only way the property is going to be developed is if the building is knocked down, which he said could cost about $80,000, according to The Reporter Online.

Bennett believes the property is best suited for residential use because it doesn't seem large enough to support commercial.

The property has been bought several times since the club closed, but no one has followed through with a development.

“It’s kind of frustrating because personally I really believe that once the building comes down somebody can then come in and take a look and decide what can be done,” Bennett said, according to The Reporter Online. “Certainly a continuation of the townhomes in that area would work out the best.”

Bennett said the property would cost little to buy, but has a value of $160,000 in back taxes and up to about $10,000 for maintenance.

If no one moves onto the property, Bennett said Palos may have the building condemned, and pay to tear it down. Then the city would check with Cook County to see if the tax situation can alleviated, purchase the property, and finally resell it, The Reporter Online said.

Photo courtesy of Armchair Builder/Flickr