Wheeling board approves multifamily project, entertainment venue special use and a hotel signage amendment

The Village of Wheeling Board on April 6 approved several land-use and redevelopment items, including a revived multifamily project, a special-use for an entertainment venue at 604 North Milwaukee Avenue, and an amendment to a redevelopment agreement for the Weston Hotel area.

Director Clicker explained that the 2687th Street multifamily project had been approved in 2024 but had lapsed when the prior developer did not move forward; the new owner, Crystal Gotich, told trustees she purchased the plans, is updating them to current code, and expects to submit permit paperwork promptly. She said her team will pursue required agency approvals (including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the Illinois EPA) and expects construction to start this year with completion in one to two years. The board voted to repeal prior ordinance 5688 and grant the major site-plan and building-appearance approval; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also considered an application for a mixed-use entertainment establishment to be called 604 The Arena, which would include cricket and golf simulators, a bar, restaurant, private rooms (private-room capacity described by the applicant as not more than about 20) and other entertainment uses. The plan commission recommended approval with three conditions, including one unusual condition flagged by staff: the village will not issue any construction permits until a shared parking agreement for a southern parking lot (separately owned) is submitted and approved by the director of community development. Developer Manish Chry said the team is pursuing a parking agreement and is open to purchasing the parcel if necessary; trustees asked about video-gaming licensing and private-room uses. The board approved the special-use application and a series of zoning variations and site approvals by unanimous roll calls, with the parking‑agreement condition noted in the project record.

Finally, the board approved a second amendment to the redevelopment agreement with VH Malah Wheeling, Inc. (the Weston Hotel property) to allow replacement of an electronic message center and static signage for a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000. Mr. Becker said the amendment provides the village with one rotation of advertising on the electronic sign, in perpetuity, as long as the sign is operational and maintained; trustees discussed the use of North TIF district funds for the project and approved the amendment.

All development items recorded in the transcript were approved by roll call votes during the meeting. Trustees also directed staff to ensure required permits and interagency approvals are obtained before permit issuance for projects that depend on outside agency sign-offs or shared-parking agreements.