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Hoping for closure: Chris Kleronomos plans to close off a north-south alley and build sheltered outdoor seating for two restaurants.
Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd |
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Alley closure OK'd on Harrison
Kleronomos hopes approval will pave way for new restaurant
By MARTY STEMPNIAK
Staff Reporter
First reported 2/19/2010 4:59 p.m.
A decision last Thursday could pave the way for a high-traffic alley closing and a long-empty building on Harrison Street in Oak Park getting a new restaurant.
The village's plan commission voted 5-1 last week to vacate a stretch of village-owned alley to make way for local property owner Chris Kleronomos. He plans to buy the piece of land, spruce it up and use it for seating at Briejo Restaurant and another yet-to-be-found new eatery across the alley at 213-215 Harrison.
Six people spoke in favor of the alley vacation at the meeting. Most were business owners in the arts district. They argued that closing the alley for outdoor seating would add more activity and vibrancy to the area.
"We would love to see this done," said Patrick Dailey, who owns Eastgate Café down the street. "Look at the alley, it's lousy. Outdoor seating there would benefit everybody; it would be a draw."
The alley in question is off the south side of Harrison, just west of Lombard. It's sandwiched between two buildings, both owned for decades by the Kleronomos family. He plans to shut off a 58-foot stretch from the street to the rear of Briejo's building¸ and build a glass canopy overhead. The T-shaped alley would still be accessible off Flournoy and Highland, architect Tom Bassett-Dilley told the commission.
Two people spoke against the alley closure, including Buzz Café owner Laura Maychruk. She said closing off the alley would make it exceedingly difficult for delivery trucks to reach the back of her building on Lombard. She also questioned how well Kleronomos would take care of the property if he purchased it from the village.
"Most of the vacant buildings and storefronts in the 200 block of Harrison Street are owned by the Kleronomos family," she said. "These properties are chronic eyesores, some of which have been in varying states of disrepair and vacancy for 20 to 25 years."
Paul Hamer, who owns the Frame Warehouse on Harrison, worried that closing the alley would be a safety risk. Others said the alley itself is the safety risk, with pedestrians and drivers having a hard time seeing around the corner of it.
The Village of Oak Park sued Kleronomos last year, demanding that he either demolish or repair 213-215 Harrison. The lawsuit alleged that the building was vacant for more than 10 years, structurally unsound, had a leaky roof and was in danger of collapse. Kleronomos denied the long-term vacancy and structural unsoundness of the building. A judge dismissed the complaint in May, after Kleronomos repaired the roof.
The village board will decide if it wants to grant the alley vacation, likely on May 3, said Village Planner Craig Failor. Two appraisals will be done of the property before possibly selling them to Kleronomos. The plan commissioner who cast the dissenting vote on the sale suggested that the village consider leasing the property.
Kleronomos expressed disinterest in renting, as he plans to invest his own money into the crumbling road surface to make it more attractive.
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