Ogden Avenue development plan approved in Downers Grove

Plans for a multi-tenant retail building on Ogden Avenue that includes a drive-through got the green light at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Downers Grove Village Council.

Commissioners approved a request for rezoning, a special-use permit and a redevelopment agreement with Vequity allowing the developer to move forward with the development at 1111 Ogden Ave.

The council’s action allows the village to continue spurring development along the Ogden Avenue corridor. In fact, the project is the fourth new developments backed by Vequity in Downers Grove over a four-year span.

Michael Cassa, president and CEO of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corp., said the synergy exhibited in the partnership between the village and Vequity is clear.

“This opportunity came along,” Cassa said. “They love Downers Grove.”

Cassa said the continued development along Ogden Avenue has been gradual.

“It happened one at a time,” he said.

The village welcomed Chipotle and BMO Harris Bank at the southeast corner of Ogden and Saratoga avenues. Downers Grove has another multi-tenant development featuring Panda Express and Mod Pizza at the northwest corner of Ogden Avenue and Main Street.

At the southwest corner of Ogden and Forest avenues, the village will become home to a development with multiple tenants, including Noodles and Company.

A fourth development, while not located along Ogden Avenue, brought a 7- Eleven and an Exxon Mobil station to the southeast corner of Main and 63rd streets.

“Vequity, as a company, they bring proposals to the village and they live up to what they promise to do,” Cassa said. “That is something we like to see. Secondly, we like the quality of their work. They build nice projects.”

Vequity has a track record of bringing restaurants to Downers Grove when it presents proposals for the village council to consider approving, officials said.

“That’s always good for the village’s local economy,” Cassa said.