Potential $300,000 Incentive Agreement For Boulevard At Central Station Restaurant Clears First Hurdle

By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press:

TINLEY PARK, Ill. — A local restauranteur is one step closer to bringing an Italian-inspired tapas restaurant to the Boulevard at Central Station in Tinley Park.

The Village of Tinley Park Board of Trustees voted 4-2 Tuesday, March 16, during a first-reading discussion of approving an economic incentive agreement with a restaurant group led in part by Ed Nemec, who is part of The Dancing Marlin in Frankfort. Trustees Cynthia Berg and Diane Galante cast the dissenting ballots.

“On March 8, the Economic Commercial Commission discussed and recommended approval of the proposed economic incentive package for a restaurant group at the Boulevard at Central Station,” Trustee Michael Mueller said. “The Committee of the Whole reviewed the request at a special meeting held on March 11.

“The incentive package supports the planned improvements for a 6,900-square-foot, Italian-inspired tapas restaurant, along with a full bar, outdoor dining area, banquet space, and a carryout/to-go area.”

Mueller said the total incentive package will not exceed $300,000.

“The Village will provide upfront assistance up to $230,000 to support the buildout of the restaurant with the remaining $70,000 paid through sales tax sharing over [five] years,” he said. “If the project budget goes down, which reduces the TIF-eligible expenses, the sales tax incentive can increase up to $70,000. However, if TIF-eligible expenses are reduced to $150,000, the business will only receive a maximum of $70,000 in sales tax incentives. The funding will slide up or down, but only to the caps established in the agreement.”

Berg, however, voiced her disapproval of the incentive agreement.

“I’m not in favor of this quarter of million dollars going to a Johnny-Come-Lately new business as opposed to the rest of the businesses that we have in town that have been here over 30 years, as demonstrated by our Business Spotlight that we’ve had [at meetings],” she said. “I would much prefer to split that money up between the businesses that need it.”

Berg added that she was sad to see businesses in town close over the past year, such as Tin Fish.

Galante also voiced a concern about the incentive agreement.

“My issue is just the upfront money,” she said, referencing her past comments about not wanting to give out incentive money prior to the opening of the business.

During the discussion, Community Development Director Kimberly Clarke clarified that the agreement is for five years, not three — which was initially stated. She said staff believes that based on the projections from the restaurant group that it can be paid out in three years.

The item will be voted on for final approval at a future meeting.

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