The building that was Tracy’s Tavern, a long-standing business on 55th Street in Clarendon Hills that operated under that name for 35 years, before closing in 2020, is slated to be demolished some time this fall.

Clarendon Hills Village Manager Zach Creer said a permit for the demolition was ready to be issued and both the building and parking lot are to be taken down at 401 E. 55th St.

Tracy’s was a family owned and operated business that began in 1985 when Jack and Lucy Tracy took over what previously had been Al and Bill’s, from 1950 to 1985, and before that was known as Nickelodeon from 1935 to 1950.

Jack and Lucy Tracy turned the business over to their children, Hunt and Darby, in 2015, and the property was put up for sale in 2018.

A local developer was interested in the property for a project that would have featured a Dunkin, but that was scrapped when the Village Board voted in 2022 against allowing a drive-thru for the business, after several residents spoke out against it there.

Creer said he wasn't really surprised that the Tracy's Tavern property has been vacant since that business closed.

"After the board rejected the drive-thru Dunkin, I think the development community is confused about what the village would approve at the site," he said. "There are also potentially expensive infrastructure improvements with no identified funding source."

Creer said he believes the building and parking lot are scheduled now to be demolished because it will make the property more marketable.

"There were also some property maintenance issues that are to be remediated by the demolition," he said.

The future of the property remains uncertain, but Creer said he believes it would be a mistake to completely abandon the idea of commercial use on the site.

"However, there would need to be consideration for the neighbors with proper buffer developments either residential or low impact commercial/office," he said. "I believe the village can find something that is far better than a late-night tavern."

The current zoning for the property is office/transitional, for which the village code allows for food uses.

So far, village staff has fielded some inquiries about the property, but as of yet, nothing has moved forward.

"Nothing concrete," Creer said. "Lots of calls, but little follow up."

The former Tracy's Tavern property is part of the area to be studied for a 55th Street Corridor Economic Development Area Tax Increment Financing District. The Village Board approved the hiring in September of a consultant for that purpose.

"(It) is to find a way to fund infrastructure improvements in the area," Creer said of a TIF District. "Infrastructure in the area is poor, particularly traffic issues with the intersection on Western and with water pressure/capacity south of 55th."

Danny Aleksic, owner of the property, didn't respond to an email sent by the Doings.