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Warrenville council authorizes condemnation proceedings for portions of four Mack Road properties to build bike path
Summary
After years of planning and public pushback, the Warrenville City Council voted to authorize initiation of condemnation proceedings for four properties on Mack Road to build a north‑side bike path, citing safety, environmental and grant‑funding considerations. Vote: 6–2.
The Warrenville City Council voted April 7 to authorize initiation of condemnation proceedings for easements and fee‑simple portions of four Mack Road properties so the city can construct a north‑side segment of the Mack Road bike path.
The motion to accept staff recommendations and adopt ordinance 2025‑17 passed on a roll‑call vote, with six aldermen voting in favor and two voting no. The ordinance covers properties at 29 W. 530 Mack Road, 29 W. 606 Mack Road, 29 W. 630 Mack Road and 29 W. 660 Mack Road.
Why it matters: Staff and consultants said the north‑side alignment best meets safety, environmental‑protection and grant requirements. Christine Hocking, the city’s assistant community development director, reiterated the staff analysis: "The posted speed limit on Mack Road is 40 miles per hour. The average daily traffic count on Mack Road is about 3,000 vehicles per day," she said, arguing that a north‑side path would discourage mid‑block crossings and better connect to existing trails.
Residents and property owners who spoke at the council meeting urged the council to pursue alternatives and questioned the need for condemnation. Pam Spivak, who lives at 29 W. 630 Mack Road, said she and neighbors are "adamantly opposed to the construction of this path across our lawns on the North Side of Mack Road," and described large easement requests, loss of mature trees and potential multi‑year construction impacts.
Other commenters urged the council to use public land on the south side or narrower road treatments to avoid taking private property. Several speakers argued the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County had previously been identified as a potential partner to host a south‑side alignment; city staff said the forest preserve has resisted a south‑side alignment and that moving the path south could risk forfeiture of about $400,000 in federal grant funding because of federal protection requirements for public lands when an alternate route is available.
Council members acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and emphasized that eminent domain would be used only after attempts to negotiate had failed. One alderman said the city had obtained additional appraisals and updated acquisition offers in February 2025 and reached agreements with two of six property owners; the four remaining owners informed the city through counsel they would not negotiate.
The meeting record shows the city will proceed with the legal steps authorized by the ordinance; the motion carried on roll call with six ayes and two nays. The council did not set construction dates at the meeting.
What’s next: The ordinance authorizes staff to cause the filing and prosecution of condemnation proceedings per the city’s process; any subsequent acquisition, settlement or litigation would follow statutory procedures and further council oversight.
