Naperville's Water Street District plans changing again
Plans are changing again for the proposed Water Street District development in downtown Naperville.
The updated proposal is expected to go before the city's planning and zoning commission this month as developers again seek approval to build a hotel, shops, restaurants, offices and parking on 2.4 acres south of the DuPage River between Main and Webster streets.
The commission is scheduled to host a public hearing about the $90 million project, which some have called a game-changer for downtown Naperville, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Naperville city hall, 400 S. Eagle St.
Deborah Newman, a spokeswoman for Water Street District developer Marquette Companies, said the firm is making changes to some of the proposed spaces to accommodate prospective tenants.
Newman said developers are working with city staff members on “cleanup details,” including changes to proposed spaces, the addition of screening for rooftop mechanical equipment and an extension of the future Riverwalk path across the property of Naperville Township, which is near the northwest corner of the Water Street site.
If the planning and zoning commission approves the revised plans, Newman said the proposal should be before the city council in October.
“We are optimistic we will be able to break ground before the end of the year,” she said.
Plans for the hotel, shopping, dining and office district immediately east of the Naperville municipal center already went through several redesigns to gain city council approval in March 2013. Developers originally were aiming to break ground early this year and have some elements of the project completed by fall 2015, but weather and design details on elements of the multifaceted plan have delayed the beginning of site work.
Developers previously said the district will include a Hotel Indigo and restaurants such as Bien Trucha, a small-plate Mexican eatery based in Geneva, and Blue Sushi Sake Grill.
Marquette Companies has been working on development proposals for the string of old, underused buildings on Water Street since 2007.