Willowbrook Buys Vacant Retail Complex

WILLOWBROOK, IL – Willowbrook this week decided to buy an old Plainfield retail complex for $5.1 million, with the village planning to redevelop it.

The site is at 735 Plainfield Road, where a bowling alley closed seven years ago. It's just west of Burr Ridge's village limit.

The Village Board voted to buy the property with a loan from Hinsdale Bank & Trust.

"The Board took this action to ensure the property is redeveloped with a retail use that can generate sales tax revenue, consistent with the Village’s long-standing practice of prioritizing retail and restaurant sales taxes to fund operations," Village Administrator Sean Halloran said in an email to Patch on Friday.

He said the purchase was part of Willowbrook's approach to avoid levying a property tax for general operations and to maintain one of the lowest overall tax levies in DuPage County.

"The acquisition supports our broader economic development goals while addressing a long-vacant commercial site," Halloran said.

About a block away, the village last month acquired two houses at 610 and 618 Plainfield. Officials said they wanted to demolish the houses and restore the properties, including tree removal.

The village acquired the houses to support "future uses," including expanded recreational opportunities, economic development or stormwater improvements, according to a memo.