Affordable senior housing planned in South Elgin

Affordable housing for people 55 and older is planned for a long-standing vacant area in downtown South Elgin.

The nonprofit Burton Foundation wants to build the three-story, 70-unit development, called Marison Mill Suites, on 2.25 acres at 126 Center St., just north of Mill Street.

The site is bordered by the Fox River Trail to the west, an industrial building to the north and a 100-foot long commercial lot to the south, which has the potential for redevelopment, officials said.

The village board approved the conceptual plan last week, Deputy Village Administrator Megan Golden said.

Burton Foundation Executive Director Tracey Manning didn't respond to a request for comment. The agency is based in Sterling, Illinois.

Trustee Mike Kolodziej said he supports the project, which he called “visually appealing.”

The foundation also built Water's Edge just to the north, which accommodates low-income residents and residents with disabilities. Its grand opening was last summer.

Kolodziej said he's been impressed by Water's Edge, which he had opposed.

“There have not been any problems since it's been constructed,” he said. “With that in mind, and with the fact that there has been absolutely no interest in that property, I am in favor of (Marison Mill Suites).”

Trustee Lisa Guess, who cast the only “no” vote, said the location isn't suitable because it has no close shopping or public transportation. The closest bus stop is about one-quarter mile away along Route 31.

Guess also said she's concerned about increases in traffic, especially from people making a left turn from State Street onto Center Street.

A traffic study will be part of preliminary engineering, which hasn't started yet, Golden said. The process will include a public hearing and final approval by the village board.

The project will be eligible to receive tax-increment financing funds for expenses including environmental cleanup, and street and sewer work, Village Administrator Steve Super said. Developers typically pay for the expenses upfront, and the village reimburses them with TIF funds over time, he said.