Home in Geneva's historic district to get new foundation

You can't help but wonder what is going on when spotting the house and detached garage at 201 N. Third St. in Geneva. They are both up on lifters, looking as if they are ready to be moved to another location.

But this house in Geneva's historic district is simply waiting for a new foundation and new joists to keep it stable as it undergoes a renovation for owners Frank and Lisa Giampoli.

Apparently, the couple was simply looking to downsize and stay in the historic district, as they currently live only a block away, but A.A. Kalnins Builders out of Batavia found some significant structural damage in a foundation dating back more than a century.

Tearing down the home wasn't an option in the historic district, so the work is being done to complete the renovation.

It created the need to lift up the structure, excavate beneath it, eventually put in a modern foundation and first floor, and then set it back down on new joists. Kalnins Builders hopes to lower the house on new joists within a month and have the entire project completed by February of next year.

“It is fairly unusual, especially cutting out the first floor,” said company President Arnie Kalnins. “It is more common to see a house lifted up and saving the first floor joists and putting a basement underneath it.

“In this case, though, there was some termite damage and it was just underbuilt to begin with,” Kalnins added. “So we are doing it this way.”

By doing it “this way,” the project stands out in the neighborhood, especially because the original intent to move the garage to another part of the property may not work out. The lot size may not allow that change.

“We have to get the new basement in and change the direction of the whole first floor of the house, adding first-floor decking like a modern house would have, then taking the studs out of the existing home while it is up in the air,” Kalnins said.

“We have to cut them off at the appropriate height, put new plates on and then lower it back down. Hopefully, it will sit perfectly on the new foundation.”

It was fortunate that Kalnins was able to secure the services of Muehlfelt & Sons Inc. house movers in Wheaton to actually lift the house.

“They've been doing this for 92 years, and there are only a couple of companies doing this,” he said.

When all is said and done, the house will be virtually new inside and the building, identified by the Geneva Historic Preservation Commission as the Perkins House, circa 1858, will remain part of the neighborhood landscape. The house has undergone plenty of remodeling over the years, but nothing quite like this.

“It's pretty wild,” Kalnins said. “I've been doing this a long time, and I am still amazed by this project.”

Wait for new Owl: Like many local residents, I went to Little Owl many times over the years. But I can't come close to calling myself a regular at this Geneva restaurant and pub.

As such, I'm among those who say it will be fun to see what is coming next at the State Street location housing Little Owl and Flagstone.

The Little Owl closed earlier this month after 72 years of business, as the Arbizzani family sold operations to Nick Smith of the Karas Restaurant Group.

As such, it is hard to see longtime establishments go away. I didn't even like it when the Geneva Mining Company closed, probably about 35 years ago now. I went there many times as well.

But Old Towne Pub has made us all forget about when the Mining Company called that spot its home.

For that matter, I liked TinCup Pass restaurant on the east side of St. Charles. That's another one gone for about 35 years, and that spot has since been a few different establishments. It was even a disco club called Molly Malone's before settling in for many years as a Gino's East pizza place.

But it's empty again, waiting for another tenant in a retail strip still called TinCup Pass.

Looking at cars: Anyone who knows me well knows this: For the most part, I don't know a thing about cars or the different makes and models.

Still, as in years past, I found last week's Geneva Concours d'Elegance car show to be an enjoyable event. Anyone can take a trip down memory lane with the cars at an event that features vehicles from yesteryear.

If your auto knowledge is weak, and a car show is popping up in your community in the coming weeks that might interest you, it's best to go with someone who knows much more.

For me, that person is my wife. She can tell you the make and year of most any car that goes down the street.

What would be the extent of my feedback? I can tell you the color of that car.

Logical pot approach: It's not surprising some cities would opt to stay away from legal recreational marijuana sales. After all, the pros and cons of marijuana use have been debated for decades.

But it's also no surprise St. Charles would take a balanced, reasonable approach to the topic. That's been the calling card of Mayor Ray Rogina and the council for many years now.

City officials are going to continue to talk about how recreational marijuana could be sold in St. Charles, so as not to overlook potentially unforeseen factors. But they understand the ramifications of saying no: People here would just go buy it somewhere else.

Plus, as the state law requires, the recreational sales have to be tied in with a legitimate medical marijuana dispensary. It's possible St. Charles would lose both by saying no.

If I had a say on the council floor, I'd probably raise a few eyebrows with my input. I'd rather see sales of cigarettes and vaping devices banned before recreational marijuana.

dheun@sbcglobal.net