Council to Vote on Permit for Wheaton Ale Fest

The “cure for what ales ya” could be found in Wheaton this summer if the Wheaton City Council decides it’s a viable event Monday.

Tonight, council members will be asked to vote on a special event liquor license which would allow 60 brewers to showcase multiple craft beers and ales in downtown Wheaton in August. In April the city Liquor Control Commission recommended the city approve the application in a three-to-one vote.

Pending approval, the event, called Ale Fest, will be hosted by the Wheaton Park District and will feature tastings of the craft drinks on Front Street from Hale to Main and Main to Cross from noon to 5 p.m.

Mike Benard, executive director of the Wheaton Park District, said they are hopeful the council will approve the necessary permits.

“We believe we’ve done due diligence in our preparation and the park district has a long history of running safe events,” Benard said.

Benard said similar events have been held in other areas and have proven to be strong successes and have helped stimulate the local economies. Benard said the park district is working with Brewfest Partners, a firm specializing in beer festivals. He said the company has a successful history of promoting beer festivals that draw large crowds, including the festival in Racine, WI, which drew 4,000 to its festival last year.

“It’s a great opportunity to fill up our downtown restaurants that day and showcase all that downtown Wheaton has to offer,” Benard said.

The streets will be closed to vehicle traffic and police will be on duty to check  identification of attendees wishing to purchase alcohol.

According to a memorandum from James P. Kozik, director of Planning and Economic Development, city staff is recommending approval of the special liquor license.

Along with the special liquor license, council is also set to approve the permit application for Ale Fest. There are also permit applications for the Jul. 3 fireworks display and the Jul. 4 parade, among other summer events.

Council will also vote on appointments to city boards and commissions proposed by Mayor Michael Gresk. Gresk is recommending the following appointments:

• Michael Mach to a three-year term on the Band Commission
• Nancy McDonal to a three-year term on the Band Commission
• Kay McKeen to a three-year term on the Environmental Improvement Committee
• Stuart Johnson to a three-year term on the Housing Commission
• Matthew McNear to a three-year term to the Group Home Care Commission
• Robert Willock to a three-year term to the Group Home Care Commission

City Council will also vote to terminate an agreement with Norwood-Wheaton LLC, the developer that was to build Wescott Crossing, a 198 unit condominium project on Front Street. The development was part of the Wheaton Main Street Redevelopment Project Area and partly funded by a Tax Increment Financing District.

The city entered into an agreement with Norwood in 2005, and amended the agreement two years later. However, city officials want to terminate the agreement because the developer has failed to complete the construction project. According to the memorandum, other developers have expressed interest in the property, but before the city can enter into any discussion with those developers, the current contract must be terminated.

The council convenes at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda can be found .