Plans call for affordable senior housing along Route 31 in Elgin
Plans for affordable housing for seniors along Route 31 near downtown Elgin are expected to go before the city council next week.
The nonprofit Buckeye Community Hope Foundation of Ohio wants to build Fox River Crossing, a four-story, 60-unit building on vacant land at 300 N. State St., on the northwest corner with Lawrence Avenue.
It includes one-bedroom apartments averaging 621 square feet and two-bedrooms apartments averaging 887 square feet, with 60 underground parking spots on the first floor and 12 outdoor spots in back.
The property has been vacant since 1993, when buildings including the Hilltop Pub were demolished after being damaged in a fire.
David Petroni, vice president of business development for Buckeye's housing division, did not return requests for comment via phone and email.
Land owner Thomas Hartwell of Elgin said Buckeye approached him about the property. He declined to name the sale price and comment on the specifics of the plan.
"I think it could be good for downtown, absolutely," said Hartwell, Kane County's circuit court clerk. "What they are planning, that's between them and the city."
The planning and zoning commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the senior housing plan in June.
City staffers worked extensively with Buckeye and its development team to ensure the plan addresses the property's steep slope and proximity to the railroad tracks, Community Development Director Marc Mylott said. "It's a very difficult site," he said.
The Housing Authority of Elgin runs affordable senior housing less than a half mile to the south, including a new six-story building at 130 S. State St.
The city's livable communities group found about three years ago that Elgin needs more affordable senior housing, Mayor David Kaptain said. "It's difficult for (seniors)," he said. "They're on Social Security and you can't afford $1,400 a month housing."
The proposed new building is along Pace bus routes and close to the Gail Borden Public Library, which makes it a great location for seniors, Kaptain said.
City resident Jennifer Phillips, former president of the now-defunct Grant Park homeowners association, agreed. "I think it's great idea. It's been a blighted intersection for a long time."
Buckeye's website states it has "75 projects consisting of more than 3,100 units of affordable housing across Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, and South Carolina with targeted investments in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Tennessee."
The agency filed a federal lawsuit in April against Tinley Park, claiming village officials interfered with its project for a 47-unit building for low- and moderate-income renters, the Daily Southtown reported.