Four bid on historic Aurora home

The new owner of Aurora's historic 1840s McArthur house could be selected as soon as mid-May.

City officials were reviewing the four bids received by Friday's 2 p.m. deadline and expected to discuss them further Tuesday with the city's finance committee. The home had been on the market since March 4.

"We're reviewing each of the bids for prices, proposed future restoration plans, the bidders' interest in Aurora and their connection to community," city planning specialist Jennifer Grobe said Friday afternoon. "We're ecstatic to have four bids in this housing market situation, so we're calling this venture a success."

Grobe said the finance committee's recommendation will be reviewed on May 6 and likely approved by the full city council on May 13.

The historic building was just the second house on River Street when it was built in the early 1840s by Alexander McArthur, a barrel-maker who immigrated from Scotland.

In 2005 the Vanstrand Group bought the property at 138 S. River St. to build the River Street Plaza Condominiums. Impressed with the home, developers not only donated the house to the city, but also helped move it to its current location in Aurora's Tanner Historic District.

With the assistance of a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant, the developer, city staff and several volunteers and contractors, Grobe says a new foundation for the home was poured at 109 N. View St., which provides a basement for the house with 10-foot ceilings.

Proceeds from the sale will be returned to the city's community development block grant funds.

The home's siding also was removed to uncover the original wood, which was painted to match the historic district's color scheme. Volunteers restored the full-width porch with period-appropriate details and updated the kitchen with new appliances and countertops.

Because of its location in the historic district, the house is eligible for additional restoration funds through the city's $10,000 Preservation Loan and $4,000 Window Restoration Grant programs.

Despite the local history, Grobe said none of the four bidders are Aurora residents.

"The economy is pricing so many people out of their historic homes in other cities," she said. "So we're not surprised that the ability to live in a beautiful home in an affordable historic district drew so much outside interest."