New river marina development near Ottawa to open

Heritage Harbor Ottawa, a new marina-resort community, welcomes visitors to its grand opening on May 31. The 461-slip marina is the focal point for many of the grand opening events.

Heritage Harbor Ottawa, the new vacation-home, marina-resort community located on the banks of the Illinois Waterway, kicks off its grand opening on May 31 with an array of special attractions, including boat tours, skydiving exhibitions, live music and an afternoon appearance by Score radio celebrity Mike North.

The day will close with a fireworks display.

"We think there's something for everyone in the family," said Tom Heimsoth, developer of Heritage Harbor Ottawa. "You can even enter a drawing to win a full-size, Tahoe Cascade pontoon boat. For us, though, the main event is the unveiling of the Lincoln. It's our first model home. Whether people want a full-time vacation home or a weekend getaway, they're going to love it."

The 2,022-square-foot decorator model is a single-family cottage home with a large wraparound front porch and a big rear deck. The main floor, which centers on a gathering room with wood-burning fireplace and vaulted ceiling, has a first-floor master suite and a kitchen with granite countertops.

Upstairs, a second bedroom and bath, as well as a loft and private porch, will serve guests or additional family members. Perched above it all, the third-level crow's nest offers 360-degree views of the community, including the marina and the Illinois Waterway. Priced from the mid $300,000s, the traditional, two- to five-bedroom cottages include nine-foot first-floor ceilings, fireplace, air conditioning, washer and dryer, custom oak stairs, private parking and natural landscaping. Some custom alterations are available.

Home buyers can also choose from one- to four-bedroom condominiums on Pilot's Point, overlooking the water, and priced from the mid $200,000s; single-family row cottages from the mid $200,000s; and fully furnished condotels from the low $300,000s. All homes are low maintenance, leaving residents more time to use the community's recreational facilities, including the now river-ready marina.

The 461-slip marina, which is the focal point for many of the grand opening events, features dual boat ramps, a 50-ton travel lift, and about 76.5 million gallons of water surrounded by a seven-foot-high concrete wall. The first 100 slips were operational in mid-April, and boats are already plying the harbor waters. Eventually, dry stacking, a professional maintenance staff, ship's store and concierge services will complement the docking facilities.

When complete, this master-planned community will host a total of 750 to 900 homes, and offer a variety of resort-style attractions, including a yacht club, with swimming pool, fitness center, fine dining and automatic membership for every resident.

In the center of the community, residents will find HarborTown, with shops, eateries and a park for concerts and special events. Anchoring the town will be a hotel complex boasting a spa, a meeting center and an adjoining condotel building. Applications have been made for a Hilton Doubletree Hotel to be called The Heritage Harbor Inn, and condotel sales have already begun.

While Heritage Harbor Ottawa supports a full menu of river activities, from boating and fishing to wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing, the Ottawa location gives even non-boaters a wide range of recreational options, including hiking, biking and picnicking on the historic I&M Canal Trail. Access to its 61 scenic miles begins right across the road from the community. There are also four state parks just minutes away, including the legendary Starved Rock.

To visit the community, take I-80 to exit 93 (Route 71). Exit south and continue for 2.5 miles and turn left at 2871st Road (Old Chicago Road). Pass over the railroad tracks and turn left at the stop sign on Canal Road. Continue one mile to the Heritage Harbor entrance. For more information, a video tour and a detailed list of grand opening attractions, visit www.HeritageHarborOttawa.com, or call (815) 433-5000.