Senior apartments proposed for former Des Plaines factory site

A developer plans to build studio and one-bedroom apartments for those age 62 and older on the site of a shuttered manufacturing plant in Des Plaines.

Pontarelli Cos. is proposing to construct a 4-story, 80,000-square-foot building on a parcel occupied by the former Era Tool & Manufacturing Co. building on North Avenue between Second and Third avenues.

As the site is currently zoned for a manufacturing use, the developer will be requesting a zoning change to residential, according to Alderman Denise Rodd, whose 3rd Ward includes the proposed apartment building.

The property is immediately north of a residential neighborhood and south of railroad tracks.

The independent living community, to be named Blue Sky Residences, is proposed to have a mix of 71 one-bedroom units and 12 studios that would be marketed to singles and couples 62 and older, said Dan Pontarelli, owner of Arlington Heights-based Pontarelli Cos.

Apartments would be handicapped accessible.

"We think Des Plaines is a very stable, nice area, and it's located close to the employment base of the city of Chicago and O'Hare, as well as convenient to the inner ring suburbs," Pontarelli said.

The existing manufacturing building has been vacant since Era Tool relocated to Zion in December. Pontarelli said he has a tentative deal with the property owner to move forward with the project after getting zoning approvals.

Pontarelli will discuss the project with residents at Rodd's next 3rd Ward meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at Prairie Lakes Community Center.

His firm is also the developer of the Prairie Corners Townhomes on Prairie and First avenues and a strip mall at Rand and River roads that includes Dunkin' Donuts and Taco Village.

Pontarelli hasn't yet submitted his plans to the city as they are still in the works, but he says he's hopeful the project can break ground by the end of the year.