Dear Members:

 I trust you enjoyed the Labor Day holiday weekend even if it include such mundane activities as catching up on laundry, doing some yard work or walking the dogs.

 

 

Addison LLC Redevelopment Project

“Be it hereby resolved that the Board of Directors of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry supports redevelopment of the vacant Addison Avenue property in downtown Elmhurst that provides first-floor retail space along Addison and the Schiller Walkway, considers options for multiple floors of office space and maximizes the amount of garage parking for both the public and tenants.”

 

Much has taken place since my August President’s Message report on our Board of Directors’ July 16 meeting approval of the above resolution to the Elmhurst City Council’s Development, Planning and Zoning (DP&Z) Committee regarding the Addison LLC Redevelopment Project in downtown Elmhurst.

 

First, the Elmhurst City Centre Board of Directors and City of Elmhurst’s Economic Development Commission (EEDC), at their July 23 and 26 meetings, respectively, voted in support of a public-private redevelopment project that goes beyond the basic four-story retail space and public parking structure as allowed by city ordinance.

 

Second, the developer pulled its request for a conditional use permit (65 feet in height) and three variances (setbacks) to construct a six-story building—which had been rejected by the City’s Zoning and Planning (Z&P) Commission in June—from further review by the DP&Z Committee.

 

Third, at a special City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on August 26, city staff presented two options for the Addison Redevelopment Project that were designed to address the Z&P Commission’s safety concerns regarding vehicle access/egress and vehicle/pedestrian interaction.  Click HERE to view PowerPoint presentation.

 

Fourth, City Centre’s Board at its August 27 meeting and the EEDC at a special meeting on August 30 voted in support of Option 1 at six stories, in advance of another City Council Committee of the Whole meeting on September 3 at approximately 8:30 a.m.

 

Along with business recruitment and retention issues, the Chamber Board also considered the following factors in formulating its resolution of support:

• As the vacant Addison Avenue property—which previously included a multi-story office building and a single-story commercial structure worth more than $1 million—is no longer generating real estate property tax, it is imperative that the City of Elmhurst optimize the return on its public investment;
• As public parking in downtown Elmhurst is at a premium—the half block on York Street immediately east of the vacant Addison Avenue property alone requires more than 700 parking spaces by municipal code—it is imperative that the City of Elmhurst capitalize on its opportunities to enhance parking density; and
• As parking in municipal garages cost some $20K per space—the needed story additions to the Schiller and Adelaide garages actually were as expensive as the original construction—it is imperative that the City of Elmhurst invest in the most cost-effective way for all of its property taxpayers.

 

Hahn Street Redevelopment Project

At the same time, the City Council will begin reviewing five Request For Proposals (RFP) for the long-dormant Hahn Street Redevelopment Project in downtown Elmhurst, including the Hahn Medical Building where the Chamber office is located.

 

Presentations will be made at Elmhurst City Hall on September 9 at 8 p.m. by Morningside Group (which was awarded the original project dating back to 2006) and 9 p.m. by Jupiter Realty Group, and on September 10 at 7 p.m. by Lincoln Property Group, 8 p.m. by Buckingham Companies and 9 p.m. by Banner Apartments.

 

I’ll keep you posted on the project…and the Chamber’s impending office relocation.

 

Happy Anniversary

Five members are celebrating Chamber anniversaries in September, as follows: 30 years—Lucchese & Associates Architects and Nancy’s Restaurant & Lounge; 20 years—Rotary Club of Elmhurst; 15  years—Robert Pine;  and 10  years—Redeemer Lutheran Church.

 

New Members

The Chamber welcomed six new members in August, as follows (in alphabetical order):  AXA Advisors, Country Financial (Jack Schiltz), Montini Catholic High School, On The Beaton Path, Tutor Doctor O’Hare and White Knight Detail.

 

Reactivated Members

The following business reactivated as Chamber members in August:  Timothy Christian Schools.

 

No Longer Members

 

The Chamber said goodbye to the following 10 members in July:  Alpine S.A.P., The Amicus Companies, E. Cooney Associates, Fish Window Cleaning, Keller Williams Realty (Ted Soltys Sr.), Mamma Maria’s Pizza, One Small Voice Foundation, Pagoda Bistro, TDH Mechanical and U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group.