Decision nears on Lisle apartment complex proposal

A plan to build apartments on the former village hall site in downtown Lisle is edging closer to approval.

Lisle wants to sell land it owns at Main Street and Burlington Avenue to Naperville-based Marquette Companies. The parcel has been vacant since the old village hall was razed in 2003.

Before the sale can be finalized, however, Marquette must get permission from the village to construct two multistory buildings on the site and an adjacent parking lot.

The village board has agreed to have documents prepared so a final vote on Marquette's plan can happen in two to three months.

"This was a critical step," said Mayor Joseph Broda, adding a majority of the trustees have voiced strong support for the project.

"We like the project," Broda said. "It's something we really need for the downtown area."

The proposal calls for the buildings to have about 15,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and apartments on the upper levels.

However, some residents have raised concerns about the plan, including the height of the buildings.

The building along Main would have three floors and step up to five floors to the east. The second building along Burlington would be five stories.

There's also concern about the density of the project. The two buildings would have a total of 201 apartments on roughly 2.4 acres.

Broda, however, says he's not worried about the building heights and density. In fact, he said, downtown businesses would benefit from the influx of residents the apartments would bring.

"If you look at our downtown, it's no secret it needs help," Broda said. "Everybody tells us we need more people in the downtown area."

Village officials said a redevelopment agreement must be prepared as part of the final approval process. Trustees will review the documents and take final action during a future meeting.

If the project is approved, construction could begin in the summer.