Big Darien Development Planned, Replacing Shopping Center

DARIEN, IL – Darien aldermen on Monday plan to look at a plan to replace a shopping center with a development that would include businesses and homes.

The Chestnut Court shopping center at 7511 Lemont Road features Ross Dress for Less as a major tenant.

The city's goal for the property has been a mixed use of residential and commercial space.

In a memo last week, City Administrator Bryon Vana said the new owner, Kumar Bhavanasi, has submitted a proposal "for an exciting development plan that captures the city goal."

For such a project, Vana said, the developer should receive approval of the plan, which helps the developer get such things as financing, construction cost estimates and tenants.

Vana said that based on discussions with Bhavanasi, the city believes the development would not be possible without an economic incentive plan.

Vana's memo focused on an incentive that the city has not used – creating a tax increment financing district, or TIF. Such an incentive has been used across Illinois and most states.

To set up such a district, the city must find that development would not occur without it.

Under state law, a tax district's growth in property tax income for 23 years would be diverted for use in the district itself, rather than taxing bodies such as schools.

The city would need to hire a consultant to conduct a study on creating a district, Vana said.

The City Council does not plan to take any action on the development at its meeting Monday.

The last few years have been tough for Chestnut Court, with up to 60 percent vacancy at one point, Mayor Joseph Marchese told the City Council in 2023.

The city tried to work with the former owner to improve the center, but the owner blocked those efforts, he said.