Harwood Heights mayor says Mariano’s deal not done

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:24AM

Harwood Heights Mayor Arlene Jezierny said the Mariano’s Fresh Market proposal is not a done deal despite a village newsletter blurb welcoming the company.

In the village’s January 2012 newsletter, an item has the headline “Make Way for Mariano’s!” The newsletter states the project is under review by the Plan Commission and village inspectors. It also states that once the Village Board approves the plans, a groundbreaking is scheduled in the spring.

But Jezierny and other officials stated that despite the blurb, it is not done.

“It’s not a done deal,” Jezierny said. “(The Mariano’s proposal) based on board approval and the newsletter is not campaign literature, it’s village information.”

Trustee Demetrios Mougolias, an opponent of a proposed financing deal, also said he doesn’t know of any signed documents.

The deal with Chicago-based developer Bradford Real Estate Companies hinges on the village taking out $4 million loan to buy the Tarson Property, 4700 N. Oketo Ave., and selling it to developer for $100.

Some residents have spoken out against that incentive.

Meanwhile, projections Jezierny offered has the village recouping its money in 8-10 years.

“Our projections indicated $400,000 to $500,000 in (annual) sales tax revenue,” Jezierny said. “We need someone who can give us the best information for our community.”

She also said Mariano’s seems to be Harwood Heights’ best possibility for development.

“In eight years we’ve had three people who were interested and two of them pulled out,” she said. “Now we have a developer who is reputable and we have an end user (Mariano’s).”

If the village didn’t provide incentives, the developer has other options, Jezierny said.

“I’d prefer not to offer this kind of incentive but the board have to weigh incentive versus cost,” Jezierny said. “The benefit of having a Mariano’s outweighs the cost.”

However, some local business owners are also concerned about the village courting the supermarket.

Chet Jossi, owner of Harwood Convenience, 7356 W. Lawrence Ave., said he and other small businesses in the area that offer the same goods and services as Mariano’s, are against the project but believe the deal is complete.

“This affects the local business owners if the supermarket is put up right across the street,” Jossi said. “Everybody will be out of business. We feel it’s a done deal because with three trustees for it and three against it, the mayor has the tie-breaking vote and we know she’s all for it.”

But Jezierny doesn’t see it that way.

“The intention isn’t to do harm to any businesses,” she said. “You tell me what community would turn their backs on $400,000 to $500,000. I’m hoping the Mariano’s will bring more consumers so everyone benefits.”