Large redevelopment projects coming to Warrenville
Several long-awaited redevelopment projects finally are taking shape in Warrenville, especially on the city's southwest side.
The plan commission considered two redevelopment plans last week and did a courtesy review of a third proposal. Construction on other projects could begin this year.
Mayor Dave Brummel says the interest from developers is the result of years of preparation.
"We've been working for the past decade trying to get some of these properties ready for redevelopment," Brummel said. "It's paying off."
He said some properties on the southwest side "languished for decades" because of infrastructure issues.
That changed with the creation of the new Duke Parkway intersection at Route 59, less than a mile north of I-88. Brummel said the signalized intersection is creating numerous development opportunities along Route 59.
One proposal the city is reviewing involves M/I Homes of Chicago LLC's plan to build a mixed-use development on the east side of Route 59 at Duke Parkway.
If the plan is approved, M/I Homes will acquire nearly 33 acres, build 92 townhouses and set aside roughly 4 acres for commercial development. Atlantic Realty Partners, which is partnering with M/I Homes, would build a 259-unit apartment complex.
The city also is reviewing plans for a proposed Thorntons gas station on 4.9 acres at the northwest corner of Route 59 and Duke Parkway. If built, the $4 million project will include a 5,500-square-foot convenience store, 14 gas pumps and four commercial fueling stations.
On the southwest corner, Duke Realty is talking about building a 105,677-square-foot warehouse distribution facility.
To the north, Lexington Homes LLC is looking to build 106 townhouses on more than 20 acres west of Route 59 and south of Butterfield Road. The $35 million project, called Lexington Trace, will include new streets, private open space and stormwater management facilities.
The city council is expected to approve final plans this summer and construction will start soon after.
Brummel said the subdivision will diversify Warrenville's housing stock and attract empty-nesters and millennials who aren't interested in taking care of large houses.
"A lot of the big developments we're looking at are high-density developments," Brummel said. "That's a departure from what we've done in the past."
As part of that push, the city's Cantera development is expected to get hundreds of new apartments.
Last week, the plan commission recommended approval of Covington Realty Partners' plan to redevelop roughly 5.4 acres of the parking lot west of the Regal Cantera Stadium 17 movie theater along Diehl Road.
If the project is approved, Covington would build a roughly 269,000-square-foot building that would feature 242 upscale apartments on four floors.
Meanwhile, the city is awaiting final plans for the Cantera Riverview West development along the north side of Ferry Road and immediately east of the West Branch of the DuPage River. The $89.2 million project will include 60 townhouses, a four-story building with 364 upscale apartments, and more than 35,000 square feet of commercial, retail and restaurant space.
Brummel said Warrenville needs different types of housing to attract new residents.
"You can't just build what you want," he said. "You've got to build what somebody is going to buy."