Palatine To Convert Speedy Citgo Property to Open Space

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was based on information included in Palatine's City Council packet which stated that an environmental study for the property was needed "In order to raze the site and restore it to a green space..." Since this story was published, village officials have said that a final decision on the future of the property has not been made.

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Palatine has acquired the gas station property and plans to convert it to green space.

The village had acquired some of the property at 5 W. Palatine Road as part of the Palatine Road construction project. In April, the agreement with the property owner was amended so that the village could acquire the entire 0.37 acre property located near the the intersection of Palatine Road and Plum Grove Road.

As a condition of the acquisition, $450,000 was placed in an escrow account and reserved for "remediation of environmental conditions at the property," according to Palatine's board packet for the council's Monday meeting.

Among the environmental issues are underground storage tanks that must be removed from the old gas station. Also, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will have to sign off on the property.

The Village Council is expected to vote on whether to hire consultant Shaw Environmental at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 16 at , 200 E. Wood St. The Shaw contract would be for not more than $17,700.

If hired, Shaw will complete a report for the IEPA about the property, examine what sort of site cleanup is needed, and explore state programs that could reimburse some of the cost.

Shaw also would act as a general contractor when the building was demolished.