Old Orland, New Property

The village’s Development Services and Planning Committee has approved plans to demolish and build on the site of the Orland Square Theatres, and build a mixed-use building in the Old Orland Historic District for the first time in a century.

In place of the worn theatre near Orland Square Mall, Dave & Busters asked to build a 23,645 square foot restaurant, sports bar and arcade center.

This year the village made changes to its parking code, increasing the amount of spaces allowed for commercial buildings. Because the proposed restaurant is smaller than the theatre, the property will provide parking for 295 cars instead of 154. In turn, Dave & Busters has agreed to put in new curbs and “tree islands,” said Karie Friling, director of Development Services, on Monday.

The proposed 14,820 square foot building to be located at 14332 Beacon Avenue in Old Orland Historic District will include two commercial shops on the ground floor and four condominiums above. A single family home on the property must be purchased and demolished first.

McDuffy’s Beacon St. Condominiums, as it’s to be called, has been designed to match the historic neighborhood and comply with subsequent elevation restrictions, Friling said. Per the agreement with the village, the property will provide a bicycle rack near the main entrance.

Trustees James Dodge and Brad O'Halloran approved both plans, sending them to the Board of Trustees next month. Patricia Gira could not make the meeting due to surgery. Most of the project details were approved earlier this month by the village’s plan commission.

Why should we care? It’s no secret that Orland Square Theaters, which has been vacant since 2001, is an eye sore. During the committee meeting on Monday, Dodge spoke sarcastically about the building’s welcomed presence as he good-humoredly baited the project’s architect, Joseph Vajda, from Aria Group Architects in Oak Park, to come to the podium for questioning.

Friling said this is the first time in 100 years that anyone has proposed to build a mixed-use, meaning retail and residential, in Old Orland—an historic feat on an historic stretch of town in an historically low point in our economy.

Who weighed in? Village Manager Paul Grimes said it’s too early to trumpet an economic recovery, but this is a good sign that we might soon “get out of the log jam.”

“It doesn’t necessarily make a trend,” he added, “but it’s encouraging.”

No longer kidding, Dodge said he thinks Dave & Busters will be “very successful" here.

Friling, on behalf of the shop owners, said the Historic District is “excited about (McDuffy’s) project coming forward because…this is what they really want to see happening in there.”

What’s next? There’s still a little matter of financing, the better indicator of the economy’s pulse. Grimes said even though the developers are established companies, there’s always a possibility neither of them will obtain the capital to build.

Architects for Dave & Busters, Ohio-based Woolpert Designs, have agreed to make aesthetic changes to the eastern portion of the building. As the design stands, cars coming off 94th Avenue are greeted by a windowless, white brick wall.

The village’s Historic Preservation Review Commission will review and possibly approve the elevation plans for McDuffy’s project tonight.

The Board of Trustees will vote on the site and elevation plans of both projects on Feb. 7. If approved, Friling said Dave & Busters would break ground this spring, and open by the end of this year or beginning of next.