Elk Grove Village considering condemnation of Motel 6, auto shop and restaurant

Elk Grove Village might condemn two properties with active businesses in an effort to beautify and improve a main entrance into the community. The village board voted unanimously and without discussion Tuesday to begin the process for potentially condemning the Motel 6 at the southwest corner of East Higgins and Busse roads and All Auto Clinic and EJ Pierogi across the street at 1700 Oakton St.

Though trustees authorized condemnation, village officials say they're still negotiating to buy the parcels through a traditional real estate deal.

Already, the village bought the nearby Elk Grove Hotel for $5.6 million in October and plans to have it demolished for redevelopment.

"We're trying to beautify, if you will, the entranceways to the village. We want to make it look exceptional," village attorney George Knickerbocker said, referring to the village's slogan as "The Exceptional Community."

The purchase of the three properties is part of the village's plan to sell the land to a developer to redevelop the area with higher-end hotels, restaurants and public areas. So far, the village is closer to reaching a deal to buy the Motel 6 than the auto repair shop and pierogi restaurant, which Knickerbocker said is still in the "embryonic stage."

"It will become much more economically viable to the village than the uses before," Knickerbocker said.