Block-wide development proposed in Villa Park

A Chicago developer wants to transform a city block along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Villa Park into a combination of condos, townhouses and businesses.

Golden Spike Development in Chicago proposes to build a mix of roughly 200 condominiums and townhouses and 25,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and other businesses in five connected buildings. The structures, which would be as tall as seven stories, would be bordered by Ardmore Avenue, Vermont Street, Beverly Avenue and the Villa Park Metra train parking lot and the train tracks.

"This is more than just another condo project," said Rick Goldman, principle with the firm. "This is really going to create a downtown Villa Park. It's going to be very striking and modern."

The buildings would be staggered in height will taller buildings along Ardmore and shorter structures on Beverly Avenue near existing homes. The buildings would wrap around a landscaped courtyard that would feature a partially underground, two-story parking structure.

"Each of the five phases will have its own identity," Goldman said. "This is dramatically different from everything you see there."

The Tyler's Auto Body site on the southwest corner of the proposed development would be transformed into a roughly half-acre park.

Formal plans still must be submitted for village approval, possibly next month, but elected officials have responded favorably to the initial early concept.

"It's an excellent plan," Village President Joyce Stupegia said. "It will do good for Villa Park. It's an area crying for change."

Trustees agreed.

"The project is an awesome project," Trustee Jeff Blankensop said. "Kudos to everyone involved. This is a great, great start for our village to go in a new direction. The board and the manager and the director of community development are working really hard to bring economic development to the village."

Trustee Tom Cullerton says he is also looking forward to seeing the project develop.

"This plan is such a great start up point for us," he said. "This project ... sets a new definition and a new tone for the Metra area and Villa Park overall. It creates an aura of moving forward and targets newly graduated and retirees because of its train access and size of each unit."