The North Chicago City Council unanimously approved on Monday a $10 million project for an 11,365 square foot Compass Travel Center along Route 41, with construction expected to be complete by the end of this year.
The redevelopment agreement is a $10 million investment and will transform a 7.7-acre site at 3100 Skokie Highway, which is off of Bittersweet Avenue and located about a half mile south of Route 137, into a modern and full-service Compass Travel Center.
The site was previously occupied by four abandoned residences and The Mulch Center, which recently relocated.
At Monday evening’s regularly-scheduled city council meeting, all seven alderpeople unanimously voted in approval of the redevelopment agreement, which officially opens the door to the travel center’s construction.
The project is located within the Skokie Highway Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
The proposed travel center aims to serve both commercial truck drivers and the general public with a convenience store, video gaming lounge, drivers’ lounge with couches and showers, a full-service restaurant a quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru, 20 passenger vehicle fueling stations and five diesel fueling stations.
Compass Travel Center is a company affiliated with Compass Holding, which specializes in the commercial transportation industry.
Compass Holding is headquartered in Clarendon Hills and its flagship travel center is located off of I-65 in De Motte, Indiana.
“Compass Travel Center is excited to bring its magnificent new travel center to North Chicago, delivering a modern, full-service facility designed to serve both local residents and the traveling public,” Phil Brauchla, Director of Operations for Compass Travel Center, said.
“The development will feature a state-of-the-art convenience store, multiple quick-service restaurants, and dedicated fuel lanes for both automobiles and tractor-trailers, enhancing convenience and accessibility for the entire community,” Brauchla added.
North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. said, “This redevelopment represents exactly the kind of strategic investment we want to see in North Chicago. Replacing abandoned structures with a $10 million, job-creating development strengthens our tax base, improves a key gateway into the city, and demonstrates the effectiveness of the Skokie Highway TIF District in turning blight into opportunity.”
Construction will start soon, and city officials expect it to be finished by the end of this year.