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Four proposals for Lombard's long-vacant DuPage Theatre site

Senior housing, a retail development and mix-use concepts are some of the ideas being proposed for a property in downtown Lombard that's been vacant for more than a decade.

It's now up to officials to decide which redevelopment proposal they would like to see on the village-owned site.

The village in February invited developers to submit plans to purchase and redevelop the former DuPage Theatre site along South Main Street immediately south of Parkside Avenue.

This week, village officials announced that four proposals were submitted before Monday's deadline. They are:

• A senior housing project proposed by Chicago-based Senior Lifestyle Development Co.;

• An apartment and retail complex proposed by Indianapolis-based Flaherty & Collins Properties;

• A mixed-use development featuring apartments and retail proposed by Holladay Properties;

• A commercial/retail project with a residential component proposed by Luxica Group.

Specific details about the proposals weren't made public.

William Heniff, Lombard's director of community development, said the village and its consultants will review each proposal in greater detail over the next two months.

The village's economic and community development committee will review the proposals and make a recommendation to the village board.

Heniff stressed the recommendation won't be to approve the project, but rather to pick a preferred development team and begin negotiations to sell the property.

Trustee Bill Johnston, who serves as chairman of the economic and community development committee, said he's excited about the review process.

"Our downtown is ripe for additional growth," Johnston said, "and this latest effort shows that there is significant interest in downtown Lombard investment."

Trustees previously said they would like a grocery store on the 2.19-acre site, which has a commuter parking lot sandwiched between two fields.

But no one responded last year when Lombard sought proposals for a grocery store.

The new request for proposals was more open-ended and anyone interested in acquiring and developing the property was able to apply.

Lombard has owned the theater property since it was donated to the village in 1999. The theater that stood on the site was demolished in May 2007.

Nothing happened with the property after the theater was razed because of the economic downturn.

Still, officials say the site has potential because it's along Main Street and is centrally located with proximity to other retail businesses, offices and the Metra station.

Village President Keith Giagnorio and the board is committed to redeveloping the site.

"We are pleased that our latest outreach effort has been successful," Giagnorio said in a statement. "This interest will allow the village to carefully review and select a project that meets our long-range goals.

"The upcoming review process will present the village with a great opportunity to continue the successes we have had in the past few years in downtown Lombard."

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