Going, Gone: Blighted Forest Park House Torn Down

A building destroyed by fire more than two years ago finally came down today in Forest Park.

The eyesore, located at 512 Des Plaines Ave., which is across the street from village hall, was pulled apart by wrecking crews.

The debris will be removed and the lot will be backfilled with dirt when the teardown is complete, according to Village Manager Tim Gillian.

"It's virtually gone at this point," Gillian said.

The village is still weighing its options as to what the land will be used for down the line. Gillian said proposals included turning it into neighborhood green space, or possibly using it to expand parking for village employees and visitors.

"It's open for debate," Gillian said.

The village awarded the contact for the demolition to D.M.D. Services of Northlake at a village meeting on Dec. 17 last year. The cost of razing the building was just under $20,000.

A number of proposals have been suggested in the past as to what to do with the building and the lot it's on. They included handing it over as-is to the Forest Park Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce, or possibly partnering with a green technology company to rehab the building into an alternative technology showroom. The Forest Park Public Library has also requested that the lot be used to expand the library's parking options.

Ultimately, Gillian said the village is waiting to hear more from the public in consideration of what happens with the lot, as part of the village's comprehensive plan—a document that spells out the village's community planning goals.

Tell us in comments what you think should go in the building's space. Are you glad it's finally gone?

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