Developer considering Third Street options
At first glance, it may have appeared that downtown developer Joe Stanton was considering backing off his idea to build condos and more retail space at 317 S. Third St. in Geneva on property he recently purchased where La Maison D'Elodie now stands.
Stanton's project proposal ran into some opposition because that particular corner, with its open space and picturesque setting, symbolizes what many feel makes Geneva's popular shopping district unique.
So when he recently pulled his project proposal off a meeting agenda for historic preservation commission review, some began to speculate maybe Stanton didn't think his proposal would fly.
The idea of people being able to live in condominiums along Third Street has been embraced by many in the city, as evidenced by the Kent Shodeen condo project going up near the train station. And Stanton has watched that process closely.
Considering options
Stanton figures he has nothing to lose by not rushing into a decision.
"I pulled back for now to talk to architects some more, and I wanted to see how the Shodeen project went through the city council," Stanton said.
"My main two options remain the same," Stanton said.
"The first would be to put a second building on the site and rehab the original building, all for retail, and that was proposed a few years ago.
"The second option would be to go with the original thought of putting condominiums there," Stanton said of the option that would call for removing the existing building.
Stanton has gone through the proper channels in preparing to present his ideas to historic preservation and city officials, but the option of leveling the buildings at that corner has sparked the backlash.
While some city officials and merchants along Third Street would be surprised if Stanton moved forward with a plan to knock down the existing building, Stanton is taking a "wait-and-see" approach.
"I wanted to take a step back now, and I am thinking by the first of the year I will know which direction I want to go," said Stanton, who added there is "no chance" he would sell the property at this time.
Smiling for scarecrows
The underlying theme of St. Charles' grand Scarecrow Festival always seems to be about imagination and humor.
The imagination and humor on display again this weekend at Lincoln Park is well worth dealing with the crowds that flock to what has become an annual rite of autumn around here.
If you go today, check out the Cubs display put together by Heinz Brothers Greenhouse; or "Scaryl Crow," which emulates a singing and guitar-strumming Sheryl Crow; or the "Edward Scissorhands" chopping away on a girl's hair for My Salon.
It's just a small sampling of the great array of imagination on display that will have you smiling.
Old Towne cooking
Parents whose children suffer from juvenile diabetes know how important it will be to eat Monday, at the Old Towne Pub and Eatery on LaFox Road in Wasco.
The restaurant, which is behind the McDonald's at Route 64 and Burlington Road, will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Nancy Murray, whose 8-year-old daughter Caitlin is a student at St. Patrick School in St. Charles, sent me a note about this event, with the added incentive of telling me the restaurant has the best barbecued beef sandwich in the area. It's got my mouth watering like Homer Simpson's.
She is hoping that parents will take full advantage of kids being off school for Columbus Day Monday to let Old Towne handle the cooking chores.