Saying they were excited about a redevelopment that has gone through nearly five years of squabbling, Elmhurst City Council members gave final approval to a retail office complex that will extend the city’s downtown expansion northward on York Street.
As part of the agreement, the city will provide streetscaping and landscaping and purchase 65 feet of property in the back of the building for public parking. The city will also make an exception on the number of parking spaces required, reducing the requirement from 33 to 24. Parking was the sticking point when the proposal was submitted last year.
Developer Jeff Budgell, who said he is happy with the outcome, will abide by city wishes that the building be parallel to the street.
The redevelopment is being built in the city’s recently created C-4 district, which gives the City Council power to mold each development to a vision of what the city should look like.
“We believe this is a good agreement and certainly one of the most discussed developments since I have been here,” said Ald. Susan Rose.
A timetable for construction was not given.
