Restaurants, apartments proposed for East Dundee property
The former lumberyard in downtown East Dundee may soon be the site of a new mixed use development.
The proposed two-story, 25,000-square-foot building that may be built at 311 Barrington Ave. would include restaurant and retail space on the first floor and apartments on the second, said broker Tracy Burnidge, of Elgin-based TurnKEY Business Brokers Inc.
Current property owner Tom Roeser, president of Otto Engineering, said he is selling the land on a few conditions: He gets significant input on the appearance and the setback of the building, and the new building and the businesses it brings in must be something the village wants and supports.
Roeser also owns a vacant building on the corner of Barrington Avenue and Fourth Street that will be knocked down to make room for the new development, he said.
Though the deal isn't final, Burnidge said, plans are in full force.
On the first floor, the far west side of the proposed building will be occupied by Matt O'Shay's Irish Pub, which will also have a rooftop garden and patio on the second floor, Burnidge said. A Mexican restaurant, Joe's Cantina, has signed a letter of intent to occupy space on the far east side of the building, he said.
About 4,000 square feet of space remains on the first floor, Burnidge said, enough for retail or another restaurant.
The project is in line with the village's plan to make downtown East Dundee a culinary district, with various styles of restaurants and culinary stores, Burnidge said.
"It's going to be a neat, fun destination place like no other around," he said. "More and more people are wanting to come down there and put their businesses down there. I'm very excited."
Additionally, 10 loft-style rental apartments, available with one or two bedrooms, will be located on the second floor of the development. Burnidge said he estimates rent to go for about $1,000 per month.
"We're creating a space for more people to live downtown," he said. "In four to five years, we hope (downtown) is going to be a neat place to live and shop. That's everybody's goal."
A parking lot will be located on the north side of the building, Roeser said. Burnidge added that angled parking, as well as some greenery, will be in front of the building.
The investors will soon be seeking the appropriate permits and approval from the village, Burnidge said. The project is expected to be finalized in July or August of 2016.
"The village has been absolutely, unbelievably helpful in bringing the project to fruition," Burnidge said. Noting that he was formerly in the construction business for 30 years, he added, "I've never seen a village so cooperative and excited to help."