Des Plaines Mayor Martin Moylan has announced two new private ventures — possible construction of a 24-hour indoor velodrome and a company taking over the annual summer festival.
The news about these and other projects came during Moylan’s annual state of the city address last week at Cafe La Cave.
Moylan said a private development company is exploring the idea of building a 250-meter indoor cycling track for training and competition that would be the only one of its kind in the Midwest. The facility, estimated to cost from $15 million to $20 million, might draw national and international attention, he said.
Moylan, who helped create the Tour de Villas and Tour de Des Plaines, said the city has been meeting with various bicycle associations who are excited about the plans.
“We’re going to be known as a casino town, but we want something more,” said Moylan, who is an avid bicyclist. “Our location is paramount to what happens in the Midwest.”
The three possible locations include Mannheim and Higgins near the ACE Rent A Car, the Littlelfuse site on Northwest Highway, and an area near a junkyard on Golf Road and west of Mary Street. The latter location would be ideal, Moylan said, and would enliven the northern part of the city. The junkyard site would be eligible for grants to pay for clean-up, he said.
In the other venture, Special Events Management has been hired to run “Des Plaines Summer Fling,” which will replace the “Taste of Des Plaines.” The four-day event will be held in July and will kick off with a carnival.
The city’s special events commission was previously in charge of the summer fest, but the group hasn’t received funding in the last three years. The agreement with Special Events Management carries no cost to the city, Moylan said.
The casino scheduled to open in July will be named within a month and there will be an official naming ceremony to which the city will provide transportation, Moylan said. He also added that the city will continue to be vigilant about possible legislative initiatives to expand gambling in the state.
Tim Oakley, director of public works and engineering, also spoke about upcoming projects, such as the Safe Routes Initiative at Central School, storm sewer and permeable alley construction, a refuge median at Miner Street and transit center landscaping, as well as a proposal to build a Metra Station near Oakton and Lee Streets along the Metra North line. As of now, plans are “conceptual” and officials could study the area further, Oakley said.
Construction on River Road, between Devon and Touhy Avenues, will finish by the casino opening. Later this year, work could begin on the northern portion of River Road, from Rand Road to Touhy Avenue, and will cost $25 million.
jmdelgado@tribune.com
