Darien Gave $366K To Country Club. What's The Deal?

DARIEN, IL — In the fall of 2019, the Darien City Council voted to give $366,000 to the Carriage Greens Country Club. The city cast it as an economic development incentive.

From time to time, online commenters on Patch wonder about the status of that money. According to the city, it will be paid back from increased income from virtual golf revenue sharing as well as sales, amusement, food and beverage, and video gambling taxes.

In an email to Patch, City Administrator Bryan Vana said Illinois' golf industry has declined, causing many private courses to close.

"Carriage Greens is a unique and critical business to maintain in Darien," Vana said. "Carriage Greens business has been doing well over the last several years, and we want it to be a premiere golf destination in the area."

Vana said Carriage Greens' business has been strong as a result of the city incentive and the owner's reinvestment.

"In addition to the course upgrades, the restaurant improvements to the facility are tremendous," Vana said in the email. "Covid did affect the food business, but it is also coming back strong as we enter the spring and summer seasons."

In an email, Carriage Greens owner Brian Broderick said the country club has been paying the money back, even during a pandemic. He said Carriage Greens has repaid 10 percent of the money so far and is on track to pay back an additional 15 percent to 20 percent this year.

"Even in a 'Covid' year with devastating economic impacts to the hospitality industry as a whole, Carriage Greens has thrived," Broderick said. "The Darien city incentive has allowed us to complete 5 years worth of planned building upgrades in less than a year."

The city's money is secured, Vana said, as the city placed a lien on the property for the $366,000. If the property were ever sold, the city would receive the money back because of the lien, he said. Under the city's agreement, the lien would be removed when Carriage Greens generates additional revenue of $366,000 over 10 years.

If Carriage Greens does not bring in an additional $366,000 in revenue to the city before the end of the 10 years, it would then be responsible to pay back the difference, according to the agreement.

In September 2019, the City Council split 4-3 over the agreement, with Mayor Joseph Marchese breaking the tie in favor. Voting for the deal were Ted Schauer, Tom Belczak and Mary Sullivan. Against were Tom Chlystek, Lester Vaughan and Joe Kenny. Alderman Eric Gustafson was absent.

Under the agreement, the money was to be used solely in connection with upgrades to the facilities. The improvements were for, among other things, the front yard fountain, the Sandtrap Grill patio and the concrete circle driveway.

For 20 years, the city has the right to use Carriage Greens' facilities for non-golf community events. This right is available from Monday through Thursday.

According to the agreement, the country club is an "important contributor to the City from an economic, social, and quality of life standpoint."

In his email, Carriage Greens' Broderick said demand for golf at the course has never been as strong. He said the restaurant is now open seven days a week.

"The banquet facilities overlooking the golf course have been completely modernized from the kitchens to the rooms themselves," he said. "And the golf course condition is second to none."