Despite slow economy, Addison mayor hopeful for Town Center
Even with a sluggish economy and tough housing market, Addison officials still are planning to proceed with a slew of new retail and housing developments.
Mayor Larry Hartwig told a group of Addison business leaders during his recent State of the Village address that economic woes don't mean the end of long-term plans, such as Addison's Town Center Plan.
"If (the economy) had to turn down, it turned down at the right time for us," Hartwig said. "The worst would be halfway through a project where you'd have … somebody in the process of building several hundred condominiums and they can't sell any of them. This is giving us a little more breathing time."
The town center project will include a mix of retail, housing and recreation on the east end of the village, near Lake Street and Addison Road.
Hartwig said that while some condo projects in that area might be delayed -- such as on the property where Eleganza stands or at the former Better Built property -- residents will see signs of the Town Center coming to life this year.
A Starbucks is set to open just west of Eleganza, on Lake Street near Addison Road, and Gene & Jude's hot dog stand will open nearby.
This summer, the village's new, 50,000-square-foot, $15 million library will open across the street from its current site. The existing library then will become an administrative building for DuPage High School District 88.
Another change will happen in District 88 when the Addison Center for the Arts gains office and performance space next fall at Addison Trail High School.
Other changes coming to Addison in 2008 include:
• Red-light traffic enforcement at intersections with high accident rates.
• The creation of a Crime Free Multi-housing Program by late 2008. The program will provide education for landlords who have dilapidated buildings or don't properly screen new tenants, as well as enforce more aggressive inspections.
• The creation of an administrative adjudication program that will be used in lieu of court appearances for certain violations of village laws.
• Almost $6 million in road improvements, including projects on Fullerton Avenue, Westgate Road and Factory Drive, and resurfacing in Farmwood North, Medinah Highlands and Westridge subdivisions this summer.
• Landscaping in the medians along Lake Street.
• Launching a 10-year plan to replace all residential water meters.
Ultimately, Hartwig said progress is happening in Addison, but residents must remember that it takes time to do big projects properly, especially the Town Center.
"We know that the Town Center is a challenge," Hartwig said. "It took us 12 or 13 years to develop at the west end of town with the Marcus (Theaters) and with all of the other developments. As you recall, that was (mostly) vacant land.
"We're dealing in a Town Center with occupied buildings, multiple owners, all with differing needs," Hartwig added. "We've got a lot of interest in it, a lot of very good developers … We feel good things are happening."