New tenant slated for former Milk Specialties building in Carpentersville
A historic Carpentersville building undergoing a multimillion-dollar face-lift could see a new tenant move in this fall.
The redevelopment project at 256 S. Washington St., which formerly housed Milk Specialties Co., has been under way for more than three years, owner Tom Roeser said.
The Fox River-facing structure is undergoing a complete interior and exterior renovation, including a new facade, windows and roof. Behind it, a 50,000-square-foot industrial building has been torn down to make way for a 200-space parking lot.
"Every time we turned around, there was another issue," Roeser said. "You can't imagine the amount of regulation we've had, but we're moving ahead."
The village board this week unanimously approved final plans for the property, allowing landscaping and parking lot construction to move forward, Carpentersville senior planner John Svalenka said.
Additionally, contractors are in the midst of building out about 6,000 square feet of office and light manufacturing space to accommodate AMK, a German automotive technology company, Roeser said. Employees are expected to be able to move in by November.
Roeser is trying to find a use for the other 20,000 square feet available, he said, noting several companies with an office setting have expressed interest. He has also been mulling over one business' proposal for a restaurant and banquet hall concept.
"I'm a little sensitive to (whether) that is going to be the best use for the neighborhood," he said. "We've had several people inquire, and we're holding out for the right kind of (business) for the area."
For more than a decade, Roeser has invested millions in redeveloping properties throughout the area, particularly those surrounding Otto Engineering, his Carpentersville business at 2 E. Main St. He acquired the nearby Milk Specialties site several years ago with the intention of converting it into offices to support local restaurants, he said.
The property's redevelopment aligns with Carpentersville's plans to beautify its historic Old Town district, Village Manager Mark Rooney said.
The riverfront along South Washington Street is included in an ongoing Fox River landscaping project, which aims to stabilize the shoreline, add a riverwalk and provide residents with more recreational opportunities. The village is also funding a project to remove and bury overhead utilities.
Additionally, a pair of vacant Quonset huts adjacent to the Milk Specialties site were knocked down earlier this year and the area is being turned into grassy parks, Roeser said.
"Heavy trucks were not really right for that spot," he said. "With the landscaping ... and the riverbank getting renovated, there's now a more appropriate use for that area."