Niles Leaning Tower and Leaning Tower YMCA, two buildings in the Touhy Corridor development area
Niles officials recently announced several significant commercial development projects taking place within the village.
The shuttered Leaning Tower YMCA is under contract to an undisclosed party, a new operator for a small movie theater has signed a lease to operate in the village, and renovations, including a new free-standing Starbucks, are coming to Dempster Plaza, which includes a Jewel-Osco and Home Depot.
Village officials said they are aware of the purchase of the former YMCA property but said nothing has been filed with the village, as the purchaser is still undergoing their period of due diligence before the sale agreement is finalized.
The village is planning major infrastructure and roadway improvements on Melvina Avenue, near the former YMCA, former Grainger site, and Costco.
“Improvements will include water, sewer, and electrical lines, traffic control measures, streetscape improvements, landscaping, and right-of-way dedications,” village officials said.
Cine Lounge Movie Theater, a small independent movie theater company with locations in California, signed a lease to take over the former Movie Max theater in Golf Glen Mart Shopping Center at 9180 W. Golf Rd., just east of Dee Road.
The theater plans to open in the coming months after renovations, which will require some village regulatory approvals.
Newcastle Properties, owners of Dempster Plaza, the shopping center anchored by Jewel-Osco and Home Depot at Dempster and Greenwood, is planning a complete facade renovation program for businesses within the shopping center and has plans to see a new freestanding Starbucks built in an outlot in the shopping center, village officials said. Dempster Plaza has yet to submit formal plans to the village for the project.
Another new freestanding Starbucks is under construction in Oak Mill Shopping Center at Milwaukee Avenue and Oakton Street.
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