A proposed business plan development recently got a favorable nod from the city's plan commission, but not before at least one member questioned the market for rooms north of Midway Airport. "My concern is, who will be renting those rooms?" developer Allison Davis wondered. New hotels targeting the business traveler have been built south of Midway, just outside city limits.

Attorney John J. Pikarski Jr. concedes no marketing studies were done, but is confident there will be a market for the rooms, which likely will rent from $89 to $125 a night. "Wingate Inn is not a neophyte in this area," Pikarski says. "I'm guessing they've done their homework."

Wingate Inn has five properties in the suburbs of Arlington Heights, Joliet, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg and Tinley Park. The company, owned by Cendant, also is laying the groundwork for future development in the stretch between what used to be the busiest airport in the world and the Stevenson Expressway.

Department of planning and development officials agree Wingate Inn's four-story, 62,400-sf hotel, which would replace a one-story motel, will encourage redevelopment of older and underused properties along Cicero Avenue.