Demolition Contract Awarded For Skokie Boulevard Structures

SKOKIE, IL — The Skokie Village Board last week awarded a contract last week to demolish vacant building on land purchased by the village last year. Skokie purchased the properties at 8143 and 8201 Skokie Boulevard at last year for $1.7 million with an aim toward redeveloping the site, a former car dealership that closed in 2005, according to Village Manager John Lockerby. Trustees unanimously approved a $123,355 demolition contract with Elgin-based American Demolition Corperation.

"The buildings and site have deteriorated to the point of needing to be demolished to prepare the properties for redevelopment, to further achieve the Village's vision of a transit-oriented corridor in close proximity to the downtown Yellow Line Station," Lockerby told the board.

Located across the street from the Yellow Line station, the ideal use for the village-owned sites would be a mixed-use development featuring a street-level restaurant below residential units, Lockerby told the Skokie Review.

The village received 12 bids for the project, which will include removing two buildings, their footings foundations, parking lot asphalt and lighting, according to Lockerby.

Like the purchase price, the cost of demolition, will be paid out of the village's Illinois Science + Technology Park Tax Increment Financing funds.

Also on the 8100 block of Skokie Boulevard, the village has provided a grant of up to $153,000 in TIF funds to help a video game lounge open up shop. Previously slated to open last winter, the Ignite Gaming Lounge now plans a grant opening by October, Skokie Review reported.

Corporation Counsel Michael Lorge told Pioneer Press the village has "demonstrated that it can be successful in purchasing strategic properties throughout the village, so as to hold the property or assemble the property for effective development."

At the board's Aug. 20 meeting, Lockerby said the teardown work is expected to be complete by fall, with the site turned to gravel and ready for possible redevelopment by the winter.

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