New development proposed for downtown East Dundee

A proposal is on the table to tear down a house on River Street in East Dundee, replacing it with a three-story building that would be filled with retail and residential space.

Developer Joseph Billitteri, of Premier Commercial Realty in Lake in the Hills, and construction manager John Curtis proposed that the house at 110 N. River Street be torn down.

The village board Monday approved the concept and will begin discussing a developmental agreement with the group.

If all goes well, the project would likely begin in September, Billitteri said.

Curtis estimated the cost at $2.7 million.

The first floor of the new building would be 8,500 square feet, 6,000 of which would be used primarily for space for up to four retailers. An indoor parking garage would also exist on the first floor.

Billitteri said he wants to move away from creating more bars, as there are plenty in the area, and try finding unique retailers to occupy that space.

"We're trying to get a little more creative and trying to bring people downtown for other reasons," he said.

Three two-story townhouses would occupy the top floors of the building.

"Having residents living there will bring more activity to the downtown," Billitteri said.

Curtis said he estimates that the townhouses would rent for $2,500 a month.

Billitteri recently stumbled upon the property while walking around the downtown area, he said.

"I really enjoy working with East Dundee," he said, and he purchased it shortly after.

The previous owner, Brad Giertz, had added to and fixed up the current house for years before he died in 2013. It has since been vacant.

Village President Lael Miller said last month that the property had been damaged on the inside and would have to be taken down.

The vacant property is not productive for the downtown, which has undergone major redevelopment in recent years, said Trustee Jeff Lynam, adding that he is in favor of beginning the process to fix up that lot.

But Trustee Allen Skillicorn, who opposed moving forward with discussions, said the plan is too vague at this point.

"Too many times staff have brought redevelopment plans to this board that are far too generous," he said. "I need more specifics."

Village Administrator Bob Skurla said the village is not committing to anything by entering discussions. A more detailed proposal and plan for redevelopment would have to be drawn up and approved by the board at a later date.