GORDON PARK LAND SALE IN BALANCE

From the looks of things, it appears the long-shuttered Rich Port YMCA property in La Grange will continue to remain dark and lifeless, as the fight over its demolition and eventual redevelopment remains on hold.

The Park District of La Grange Board of Commissioners is taking steps to possibly counter a Cook County Circuit judge's ruling June 22 to block the auction sale of a 2.82-acre sliver of Gordon Park property behind the facility, slated for a proposed residential and commercial development.

Judge LeRoy Martin Jr. issued a final ruling in a case filed months ago by resident Orlando Coryell -- the spouse of a La Grange Library Board trustee -- saying Atlantic Realty Partners had an "unfair advantage" over other prospective bidders on the combined two parcels of land with zoning in a planned unit development that included a vacated Shawmut Avenue.

As a result, the proposed La Grange Place continues to be just that -- a proposed redevelopment by the Atlanta-based company -- which may or may not see reality.

The land at Ogden Avenue and La Grange Road, which became inactive a few years ago, is slated for townhomes, apartments and retail.

Coryell, who filed suit even after voters gave the go-ahead for the sale of public land in a highly publicized and contested November 2008 referendum, has been arguing, with the help of others and his attorney, Mark Wohlberg, against the sale of open green space.

The judge did not find fault with the manner of how the Jan. 8 auction was held, but stated the way in which the property was already zoned with one entity in mind constituted it as a private -- not public -- sale, according to court records.

However, park and village officials have said the part of the park in question is occupied by a garage and storage shed and is used very little by park patrons. Plus, proceeds from the sale would be put back into a new, revitalized park at the same location.

Wohlberg has said he feels Coryell's efforts were "vindicated."

So, while everyone awaits a followup hearing on the case scheduled to be heard by Circuit Judge Susan Gillis on Wednesday, July 22, the Park Board is now strategizing with its legal counsel to plot out what to do next and will likely appeal.

Martin (a former Chicago police superintendent) apparently hinted at how the Park Board may revise its zoning to make it a public sale, options of which are now being looked into.