Downers Grove Civic Center Project Halted After Developer Reneges

DOWNERS GROVE, IL -- A developer that had committed to buy and develop part of the new Downers Grove Civic Center site abruptly has pulled out of the project and stopped all work. As a result, the village has also ceased work on the project, which was set to include a new police station and village hall, along with a medical office building.

Village officials announced Thursday that Location Finders International "reneged" on the deal less than 60 days after it was approved in late 2018.

Mayor Martin Tully said the village is "extremely disappointed with LFI's abrupt and inexcusable abandonment of this project and the public-private partnership that it entailed."

In his statement, Tully added, "We expected and trusted LFI and DMG to fully honor the terms of the offer that they submitted to us just a few short weeks ago."

Officials say that since the project was to be funded mainly by the land sale and subsequent property taxes, the development has been stopped. They noted that the police station and village hall are still in need of being repaired or replaced.

Downers Grove will revisit the issue as part of its Long Range Planning in May.

Location Finders International did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.