Oak Park’s Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on Sept. 11 regarding the application of QuikTrip Corporation to redevelop the long-shuttered Mohr Concrete plant on Harlem and Garfield into a block-long gas station and convenience store.
Wednesday Journal first reported in July that Naperville-based QuikTrip had filed a preliminary application for a special use variation for the site. That application now goes to the plan commission which will meet as a zoning commission for purposes of this initial hearing. Ultimately the village board would need to approve any special use.
As of Tuesday morning, 382 people had signed a Change.org petition opposing the gas station project.
In a legal notice published in last week’s Journal, QuikTrip revealed that its proposal is for 16 fueling stations on the site along with a 6,609 square foot building which would house a convenience store. The site would also include 48 parking spaces.
Earlier proposals to replace the concrete factory included retail, a mid-rise apartment project and potentially a Mariott hotel. The 3.3-acre parcel was purchased from the family-owned entity in 2022 by Hinsdale-based KrohVan real estate. But the project ran into financial difficulties and by 2024 KrohVan fell behind on payments and the site went into foreclosure.
Mohr Concrete had been in business on the site for about 110 years when it closed in 2018. It has sat vacant and in disrepair for 7 years.
The Plan Commission hearing will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the council chambers at Oak Park village hall.
