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Burr Ridge OKs $24,000 Downtown Business District grant for long-time Topaz Cafe
Summary
Trustees approved a $24,000 disbursement from Downtown Business District funds to Topaz Cafe (780 Village Center Drive) after the EDC recommended support to offset roughly $40,000 in improvements; the EDC vote was 4–0 and the board approved the resolution by roll call.
The Burr Ridge village board on Aug. 11 approved a resolution to disburse $24,000 from Downtown Business District funds to Topaz Cafe at 780 Village Center Drive.
Evan introduced the item as the Economic Development Committee’s recommendation: Topaz requested assistance to offset approximately $40,000 in mechanical and aesthetic improvements, and the EDC supported a $24,000 contribution by a 4–0 vote. Evan said the petitioner had already paid for the improvements and backup documentation was included in the board packet.
Steve Schiappa, chair of the Economic Development Committee, described Topaz as one of the village-center’s earliest restaurants (opened April 4, 2008) and said village-center traffic-pattern changes appeared to have hurt the business. "It's one of our finest restaurants in Burr Ridge," Steve said, urging board support.
A public commenter identified as Joe said the new traffic pattern produced roughly a 35–40% dent in business at Topaz and voiced support for the disbursement. Trustees expressed sympathy for a long-standing downtown business and noted the Downtown Business District fund exists precisely to support downtown economic activity.
After discussion, a motion to approve the resolution to disburse $24,000 to Topaz Cafe was moved and seconded and the board approved it by roll call.
The resolution directs the disbursement from the Downtown Business District fund; the meeting record did not specify additional conditions or a reporting schedule for the disbursement.
