Elmwood Park is moving forward with steps to create more parking and opportunities for new businesses in the village after this week announcing its impending purchase of two properties that are now under contract.
Village Manager Paul Volpe said the village is purchasing a 12,500-square-foot plot at 22 and 23 Conti Parkway for $820,000.
“It’s currently one of the Oak-Leyden Developmental Services locations,” Volpe said. “The building on the property is about 9,089 square feet.”
Closing on the purchase will happen on or before May 20, he said, after which Oak-Leyden will have 120 days to vacate or choose to continue renting the space for $6,000 per month.
The address, which is on the village circle, will add to a central business area of Elmwood Park that already contains restaurants, taverns, outdoor recreation space, the park district and village hall.
“This acquisition is the last remaining piece of the mayor’s vision to enhance the town center,” Volpe said. “We’ll now consider what might be a good use for the property. Whatever is needed most –it could be a restaurant or a convenience store.
“The good news about the village circle is that every night it’s packed with people,” he said. “Ten years ago, there was no one around, but now we have a pretty full calendar of events, concerts and car shows.”
Elmwood Park also will close on or before May 15 on the $280,000 purchase of a small residential property located at 1612 North 78th Avenue.
The parcel is located directly behind two North Avenue businesses –a dental implant center and Jim and Pete’s restaurant.
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“We’ll be able to fit 11 or 12 parking spaces on the lot,” Volpe said. “But more importantly, patrons won’t need to park in front of residents’ houses in that area.”
Elmwood Park President Angelo “Skip” Saviano said more parking is needed to serve the restaurant businesses in town.
“Our businesses on Restaurant Row are doing so well that there haven’t been enough parking spaces,” he said. “Since we’ve put in the additional parking, restaurant revenue has increased 20-50 percent.”
Volpe said there are seven other properties that have been purchased and converted to small parking lots, with two more underway.
“We’ve made parking in the business district a priority,” Saviano said. “There’s a 1-percent business district tax that goes into a separate fund just for buying houses. We send letters to homeowners saying if you ever decide to sell, please call us first.”
“It’s a win-win,” Volpe said. “Building these parking lots has been incredibly successful for our businesses and a huge benefit for our residents. The restaurants are growing and thriving and the residents are happy to have fewer cars cluttering the streets in front of their homes.”