A Western Springs Street That Never Happened

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs is selling more land to neighbors that is part of the right-of-way that was meant to be a street.

The right-of-way is between 51st and 53rd streets; it would likely have been called 52nd Street.

The neighborhood was built long ago, without 52nd. But remnants of the hoped-for street remain, with asphalt and sidewalks in at least one spot.

A couple of years ago, the village resolved a long, contentious dispute between two Grand Avenue neighbors over who would buy the 52nd Street right-of-way land between them.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, trustees approved an agreement with neighbors John Griffin and Jason Van Beveren to buy parts of the 52nd right-of-way that divides their properties on Woodland Avenue. They are one block from the Grand Avenue residents.

Griffin and Van Beveren appeared to be more agreeable. Both spoke at the meeting.

"There's no conflict," Griffin said. "It should be an easy one to finish."

Van Beveren said Griffin planned to build a house and that Van Beveren wanted to widen his driveway and add a garage.

The village read a letter into the record from Central Avenue residents James and Doreen Vogt, who live nearby.

"John Griffin has an excellent track record of construction in the Forest Hills area," they said. "We have complete confidence that Mr. Griffin's plan for his portion of the property will be completed with quality, professionalism and sensitivity to the neighboring properties."

The trustee's vote was unanimous. Trustee Philip Nawrocki was absent.

Griffin is paying $18,494 for a bigger part of the right-of-way, while Van Beveren is paying $9,200, according to village records.