Board Prods Deerbrook on Future Plans

Owners of the Deerbrook Mall came before the Deerfield Village Board of Trustees Monday seeking minor changes to the shopping center but local officials wanted to know about the status of comprehensive long range plans.

After representatives of Deerbrook ownership explained the benefits of relocating Starbucks and Subway to free standing buildings, Mayor Harriet Rosenthal put shopping center management representatives on the spot asking if a previously proposed renovation was ready to move ahead.

Earlier: Jewel’s Uncertainty Curbs Deerbrook Enthusiasm

Those plans were suspended in August because of the uncertainty arising over the financial condition of the parent company of Jewel. Those issues were resolved last month when new ownership took the reins of the grocery chain. The plan involved a new Jewel store.

Rosenthal sought answers and she got them from Patricia Mahony, the vice president for construction management of Mid-America Asset Management, Inc., the operator of Deerbrook.

“We should know something in 90 days,” Mahony said. “We’ve been in touch with Jewel’s real estate representatives and real estate representatives of the new buyer. They’ve identified certain projects they want to look at immediately. We are not one of them.”

Part of the original plan included moving Starbucks to a freestanding location with a drive through window. The Board approved a report from the Plan Commission Monday letting Starbucks move into space adjacent to Chase Bank and Subway relocate to a new building to be constructed where Devon Bank once stood.

With the report okayed, formal approval could be forthcoming next month.

Other elements of the overall plan involved . Answers to those questions were promised in 90 days.

Budget Gets First Reading, Other Business

In other action, the Board held a public hearing on an eight-month budget starting May 1 and ending Dec. 31. Finance Director Eric Burk explained $36 million plan to the Board. It will be up for a vote at the April 15 meeting of the Trustees.

The Board also approved a $1,376,622 contract for replacement of Heather Road and Lake Eleanor Drive as well as other infrastructure in those areas. The work begins today and will be complete by July 4.

Patch will have more detailed stories later this week on both Deerbrook and the Budget.

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