Not all houses in Plano cost $7.5 million.
The one that did command that hefty price tag is the renowned Farnsworth House, a glass creation designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Set on the banks of the Fox River, this masterpiece of modern residential architecture was purchased by preservationists last December.
But housing in the rest of Plano is much more affordable. Just ask Lakewood Homes, which is building a whole new Plano and then some–a total of 5,000 houses.
Surrounded by cornfields in far southwest suburbia, some 55 miles from downtown Chicago, Plano is on the verge of a housing boom that could boost its population fivefold in the next 16 years.
“Plano’s population is now 5,600, but it could go to 20,000 or 25,000 by 2020,” said Mayor William Roberts.
“We knew growth was coming, but we’re a little overwhelmed by how fast it’s happening,” he added.
Lakewood Homes saw the potential in Plano and moved to the community in a big way, buying farms totaling 600 acres for a first phase of 1,800 residences, and securing options to buy an additional 1,100 acres for 3,200 more houses.
Plano has emerged as one of the frontier settlements on the outer edge of the Chicago metropolitan area because that is where land is less expensive and housing is more affordable.
Christopher Shaxted, Lakewood’s executive vice president, estimates that a new house in Plano costs $25,000 less than the same plan in Montgomery and $50,000 less than in Plainfield.
Sales are under way in the first phase of this mega-development, located on both sides of U.S. Highway 34 just east of downtown Plano.
Fifteen decorated models can be viewed. Four different series of houses are offered, ranging in price from $115,990 to $256,990 and in size from 924 to 3,988 square feet.
Not everyone in Plano supports residential growth: “People against it have had their say. But they understand it better now,” said Roberts.
Plano is intent on controlling growth.
“The developers will pay their own way. That was my campaign promise,” the mayor said.
He noted that Lakewood Homes has drilled a well, built the first of two water towers and will expand the sewer system to 2.5 million gallons, enough capacity for the subdivision and future commercial or retail development.
So far, three other builders are active in Plano, but none on the massive scale of Lakewood Homes.
Growth will require more services, the mayor emphasized: “The schools, fire department and the library will be challenged. We need a new police station. Currently, we have to use an old jail cell for storage in the existing station.”
The new station will be built on Main Street next to the city hall, Roberts added.
He noted this advantage of new housing: “It means we can keep the generations here.”
Falling into that category are Adam and Melissa Carreno, who are moving back to Plano.
“We’re originally from Plano. It still has a small-town feel. It’s a close-knit community,” Melissa said.
Now living in Montgomery, the couple purchased the two-story, three-bedroom, 1,520-square-foot Dover model at Lakewood Springs. They will move to their new home next spring.
“It’s a nice house for a reasonable price and we have a full basement,” Melissa Carreno said.
With three children, ranging from three years to six months, she still finds time to work part-time as a hairdresser. Her husband is employed as a forklift driver in Aurora.
Melissa Carreno recalled that “Plano was mostly cornfields 14 years ago,” but now she’s looking forward to moving to a “nicer neighborhood with more community activities.”
The first clubhouse at Lakewood Springs is scheduled to open in June 2005. The recreational and social center will have an outdoor swimming pool, wading pool, tennis and sand volleyball courts, tot lot, picnic area and a party room equipped with a big-screen TV, fireplace and kitchen facilities.
The monthly assessment for the clubhouse and maintenance of common areas will be about $35 per home.
For year-around exercise, the Fox Valley YMCA — with indoor pool and fitness center — is a short drive east of Lakewood Springs.
Another recreation option is Silver Springs State Park, south of downtown on the banks of the Fox River.
Plano may be famous for the Farnsworth House, but its biggest attraction is a Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Lakewood held focus groups about Plano, and almost everyone commented: “Plano. That’s where the Super Wal-Mart is,” Shaxted said.
With the huge discounter in town, the mayor is concerned about the old downtown. “We’re trying to keep downtown alive and vibrant; we don’t want it to dry up and blow away,” he said.
Lakewood is paying for an urban development plan that will help to identify features in town that should be saved, according to the mayor. He said downtown renewal will include old-time street lighting and facade restoration.
All the new residents moving to Plano should help the merchants survive.
A factor helping Lakewood keep prices down is the use of a Special Service Area (SSA).
Infrastructure improvements — roads, sidewalks and sewers — at Lakewood Springs will be paid for by buyers through the special SSA taxing district.
The cost will be about $130 a month for single-family homes and $90 for duplexes, but these charges will not start until 2007.
This system is favorable for the buyer because the cost of the average home is about $20,000 lower, Shaxted said. That’s because infrastructure costs normally are borne by the builder, who then passes those costs along to the buyer.
The SSA charge can be paid monthly over 30 years or in one lump sum.
Lakewood’s second major development in Plano will start in two years, Shaxted said.
Located on 1,100 acres on the northwest side of town, it will be built in an area called City Acres, now covered by cornfields.
The property is zoned for 3,800 homes, but Lakewood plans to build only 3,200 — more houses than in some small towns. The tract also includes 70 acres for commercial development.
“We’ll buy the land from Lord Palumbo (former owner of Farnsworth House),” Shaxted said.
“The Farnsworth House already has had an impact. We’re happy it’s there. What a jewel,” said the mayor. “Visitors will be able to stay at two new bed and breakfasts that have opened in historic homes.”
After being purchased by preservationists led by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois and the National Trust for Historic Places, the Farnsworth House is now open for public tours.
Upon seeing the glass house, many people wonder: “What would it be like living in a fishbowl?”
The 2,000-square-foot glass-and-steel creation on a 58-acre wooded lot was completed in 1951 at a cost of $73,000. It was designed as a weekend retreat for Dr. Edith Farnsworth, a Chicago physician. She lived in the house until 1971, when it was sold to Peter Palumbo, a British real estate developer, art collector and architecture buff.
In addition to the Farnsworth House, Plano has another claim to fame, dating back to the 19th Century.
According to the Plano Economic Development Corp., Cyrus McCormick patented his mechanical reaper in 1834, and after moving to Illinois, he manufactured the reapers for a time at his Plano estate. Later, he moved the work to a factory in Chicago.
“Plano once was called The biggest Little Industrial City in the World,” the mayor said.
The first pioneers arrived here in the 1830s and Plano was founded in 1854.
Now another wave of settlers is about to create a new Plano.
