No action taken on Ridge Road redesign in 2018 as late proposal emerges

An agenda item at the Homewood Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, June 25, would have directed staff to begin negotiations with a potential buyer for the village-owned building on 2018-2020 Ridge Road, the former home of Karate Kids.

However, none of the trustees made a motion to continue the hearing, so the item was adjourned.

The process began recently when businesswoman Grace Cui offered to buy the building to open a Mongolian barbecue restaurant.

The township is required by law to solicit alternative bids before selling a property in a TIF district. However, at the request of trustees Lauren Roman and Allisa Opyd, the township went beyond the legal requirements and posted a solicitation in a newspaper. Staff also posted the invitation on the township’s website and posted it twice on social media pages.

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Two more proposals were received by the June 11 deadline, one for a juice and smoothie bar and one for a media studio.

A fourth proposal, also for a restaurant, was presented at the meeting by a downtown property owner who had missed the deadline.

Angela Mesaros, director of economic and community development, reviewed the criteria staff used to evaluate the three proposals received before the deadline. The criteria are also listed in a memo she sent to the board.

• Best use: Whether the proposed store is appropriately zoning-compliant, what public benefits it will provide, and whether the store is consistent with the vision for the city center or any existing studies or plans.
• Yield: The financial viability of the planned developments and the positive net financial impact the ventures can have on the village’s bottom line.
• Sustainability: The profitability of the company and whether it can hold its own in the current market environment.
• Best fit: The essential components of the deal that are not easily quantified, taking into account the impact on community services and how the potential deal may impact or complement other surrounding businesses.

Based on these criteria, Cui’s proposal for this location is the best overall, said Mesaros.

“All three proposals would be a wonderful addition to the community,” Mesaros said. “They are all creative ideas that would complement the village’s business mix well, and we hope to find a place for each of them in Homewood.”

As Mayor Rich Hofeld opened the discussion for comments, Cyrus Su, who is set to manage the Mongolian barbecue restaurant Guimon, addressed the board.

He said he and his partner currently operate two Asian restaurants in Oak Park. At the Ridge Road location, they plan to offer noodle and dumpling dishes in addition to Mongolian barbecue.

They also plan to build a patio at the back of the building, he said.

Following Su, Tom Tidwell addressed the board. He acknowledged that he had missed the deadline to submit a proposal, but asked if he could be given an opportunity to do so.

He said the adjacent building will be his property from 2022 to 2026 and he envisions a modern American restaurant for 2018 to 2020.

He approached the township about purchasing the building in 2021-2022, he said, and was told at the time that the building was not available because it was slated for use by the Homewood Science Center.

“I just found out last week that the village was giving the building away to another restaurant owner for a dollar,” he said. “That was pretty shocking to me. I’m not on social media. I’m too busy running three restaurants.”

He said when he learned the building was available, he immediately contacted Mesaros and visited Hofeld on Saturday, June 22, during his regular office hours. He outlined his plans to the board.

“I envision putting the restaurant in the old karate building, tearing down my old building at some point and turning it into a garden area with trees, plants, flowers, ponds and a playground for children that is open to the public,” he said. “Connecting the whole thing to Martin Avenue would be like a little green oasis there.”

Hofeld clarified that the village did not specifically ask for a restaurant use. Cui’s restaurant was chosen as the best use out of the three proposals. He also reiterated that the RFP was posted on three local news sites, giving the public sufficient notice of the deadline.

“As I told you on Saturday, there are other opportunities for you in Homewood,” he said. “I have brought some specific properties to your attention and will continue to do so. We would love to have your restaurant in town.”

But during board comments, Roman and Opyd expressed interest in Tidwell’s plan.

Roman asked town attorney Chris Cummings if the board could legally reopen the bidding process, and Cummings confirmed it could.

“I love this idea,” she said. “It’s exactly what many people in our community want: space for children, with a view of Martin Square.”

Opyd agreed. She said she remembered talking to Tidwell when she was on the village staff.

“I know you talked about a restaurant. I remember it like it was yesterday because your idea was phenomenal,” she said. “I’d love to hear more about it.”

After no motion was made to follow the staff recommendation and move forward with the sale to Cui, Hofeld said the matter would be adjourned and could be brought before the board again at a later date.