City, Partner Hope for 'Bites' on South Oak Dodge Location

The city of Chicago Heights could soon have a new retail space, if things go well at an upcoming international developers conference in Las Vegas. During the conference, the city's new partner, Keystone Ventures, LLC, will shop the former South Oak Dodge location, 20937 Western Avenue, to potential developers.

“We didn't sell it,” said T.J. Somer, the city's corporation counsel. “It's an option agreement to potentially sell it. Spring time is when these type of deals generally happen. So, the agreement the city has with Keystone is to try and sell the location.”

At the conference, Keystone will provide potential developers with information about Chicago Heights, the location and the potential that the location has, Somer said. Should Keystone land a deal with a developer, that deal would then need to be approved by aldermen.

“If they get a bite, or bites, at the conference, they'll have to come back to the council,” Somer said. “Hopefully, they get bites.”

The option agreement with the city, is similar to the deal the city reached with another corporation to try and develop the former Ace Hardware.

“It's the exact same thing as the Ace Hardware location across the street from Olympia Plaza, the exact same,” Somer said.

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