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West Dundee to demolish former Ace building to create parking

West Dundee officials are prioritizing a project that would knock down the former Ace Hardware building to create more parking downtown.

The village acquired the vacant structure at 118 S. First St. eight years ago and promised it would eventually be turned into an expansion of the adjacent village parking lot. Trustees decided earlier this year to first fix up a cluster of riverfront properties and include the Ace demolition in a later phase of a downtown redevelopment project.

Recognizing a high demand for parking in the downtown area, however, Village President Chris Nelson began seeking alternative funding that would allow the village to move up the timeline for redeveloping the property.

"I see this as a priority. I think it'll help activate a more vibrant downtown we're hoping to have happen," he said.

The village board voted 4-2 Monday to incorporate the Ace demolition and parking lot expansion into the first phase of the downtown plan.

Trustees will fund the Ace project using $270,000 from the capital projects fund and $84,000 from one-time revenue sources such as new construction building permit fees. Money from the capital fund would be later reimbursed using any excess funds from other projects, Trustee Michelle Kembitzky said.

Other projects in the first phase - expected to begin this year - include tearing down some buildings at the southeast corner of First and Main streets, restoring those sites and stabilizing the riverfront.

Trustee Andy Yuscka, who rejected the measure along with Trustee Patrick Hanley, said projects such as roadwork along Tartans Drive should be prioritized before parking lot expansion.

"People see us putting more into one area of the village when other areas are suffering," he said. "Is (the Ace project) more of a commitment than pleasing more of the community with taking care of some things ... that we keep putting by the wayside?"

But Kembitzky said redeveloping the Ace property doesn't take away from any other projects, as the village has already agreed to fund it. Plus, trustees said, business owners have requested more parking downtown for years.

"This is something that gets the most bang for the buck," Trustee Dan Wilbrandt said. "This is part of the plan, yet gives immediate relief to the downtown businesses."

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