Old building's new owners will get West Dundee's help

The deal is not yet in writing, but West Dundee trustees have given the new owners of one of the village's oldest structures an assurance that the village will lend a hand in improving the building.

Owners of American City Bureau, a fundraising consulting firm, will spend more than $255,000 on facade and code improvements for the property at 302 Main Street, presently home to Diamond Realty.

Initially, the new owners requested $63,750 - or 25 percent of the cost - in grants from the village. But at Monday's village board meeting, village staff recommended an incentive of $50,000. Of that assistance, $10,000 would come from grant funding, while the remaining $40,000 would be eligible for a low-interest loan through the village.

"If it wasn't for the grant program, I don't think the owners would have agreed with the appearance review commission's request," Community Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko said.

To keep in line with the village's goal of preserving the downtown area's rich history and architectural integrity, the village's architectural review commission requested about $15,000 in modifications to the project. Those changes included forgoing vinyl siding in favor of a cement board that has an appearance of cedar, and the redesign of the front porch and roof.

Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said the grant and loans are suitable uses of public funds.

"They are taking an unused property on Main Street and they are committed to the preservation of the property in concert with the comprehensive plan ... ," Cavallaro said. "On the bonus side we get a quality business ... It's a win-win situation."

Constructed in the 1850s, the building was a private residence until it was converted into office space in the 1970s.

Research on the property revealed the rear end of the building is the older section and is constructed in Greek revival stylization, while the front addition was stylized in Italianate architecture, Tymoszenko said.

West Dundee officials will now draw up an agreement for the village board's final consideration.