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BY PAUL CZAPKOWICZ
Times Correspondent | Friday, February 15, 2008 | (No comments posted.)
GLENWOOD | Wintry weather did not stop residents from filling village hall Tuesday evening for a public hearing regarding the planned opening of an amusement center in the building that once housed the Glenwood Bowl, at 18457 S. Halsted Street.
Olympia Fields resident Janice Martin is in the process of purchasing the property to open King Edward's Kingdom, which would offer such options as arcade games, go-carts, climbing structures and laser tag, along with activities for seniors, such as bingo, line dancing and yoga.
Many residents were adamant that they do not want to see the business open, citing such concerns as increased traffic and noise in the nearby neighborhood, the congregating of undesirable youth from outside the community, and the extra burden it could cause for the police department.
"Our police department is already taxed with trying to take care of what's already here," said Colette Quinones, a 15-year village resident. "I don't think it's a fit for Glenwood. How about a Borders or a Starbucks?"
Jason Naegele, a part-owner and operator of the Glenwood Shopping Center, took questions from the audience and said that high real estate taxes and a lack of traffic south of 173rd Street are among the factors that have contributed to the inability to secure a big-box anchor for the bowling alley.
"It's a very, very deep shopping center," Naegele said. "It's 100 feet deep all the way around. Most tenants don't like to be that deep, they want to have a wider space with more frontage and less depth."
A number of residents spoke in favor of the amusement center and the fact that it would offer an alternate entertainment option for the village youth.
Martin tried to assure residents that the facility would not be overrun by unsupervised children and that children would not be allowed to cut school to visit the business.
"Children under 13 will not be able to come in unless they are accompanied by an adult," Martin said, adding the amusement center would create new jobs in Glenwood. "We anticipate hiring a minimum of 30 people and we do plan to offer these positions out to the community."
Village trustees have twice tabled a recommendation from the Planning/Zoning Board to grant Martin the permit needed to open the center.
Trustee Kerry Durkin told residents that the board would be able to put any reasonable limitations into a special use permit, such as limiting the hours of operation.
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