McHENRY – McHenry officials believe they have found a cure for the ailing intersection of Routes 31 and 120 with the addition of a CVS Pharmacy.
McHenry City Council members approved a plan Monday for a 13,225-square-foot CVS to be built at the northwest corner of Routes 31 and 120 that would also include the demolition of six buildings on the lot – excluding the Merlin shop, which will remain.
City staff and CVS representatives have been working for years to bring the chain to the city, but contract negotiations with building owners, easement agreements and other obstacles slowed the process.
Mayor Sue Low said the addition would be an economic boost for the city and a much more aesthetically pleasing feature at one of McHenry's busiest intersections. She said it is the stature of the business that could attract more development.
"This particular piece of property is certainly challenging for redevelopment ... so to attract a store like CVS is just excellent," Low said. "This is a great opportunity for the community."
The drug store would be open 24 hours and include a drive-thru pharmacy and could include alcohol sales pending the liquor commission's approval. Construction of the facility would also include extending the eastbound lane on Route 120 to give customers a designated turning area. There would be access points on Route 120 and Route 31.
Debate over safety concerns the access points would create – especially with customers taking a left out of the store onto Route 120 – nearly derailed the project. Aldermen Victor Santi, Andy Glab and Jeffery Schaefer voted against the project as proposed, but the four remaining council members approved the plan.
The City Council has no final authority on the access point proposal as it is within the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
CVS representatives said failing to approve the traffic access points as proposed would likely cause headquarters to pull the plug on the project. Low reminded city leaders they must progress with the times to attract businesses.
"If we are not willing to look at things from a different point of view, we are never going to attract anybody here," Low said. "This is part of progress."
A small economic incentive deal is included in the deal to help CVS Pharmacy recoup an unexpected $175,000 it paid to the owners of the Firestone site for the property. The incentive includes a 50 percent sales tax rebate for five years and a 25 percent sales tax rebate in subsequent years until the $175,000 limit is hit
All but alderman Geoffry Blake approved the incentive.
CVS has invested $3.9 million in the project that will not be rebated by the city. Officials have targeted a fall 2015 opening date, with demolition of buildings to occur in March and construction to start in April.
CVS representatives said the location could generate more than $10 million annually.