Overheard at the Glen Oak (restaurant) last weekend - a fairly loud discussion about the Mews and a rumor that the site design is such that fire engines cannot get into the back part of the complex. Turns required are too tight, maybe?

Any truth to this? This could be worth what I paid for it - zilch, and I sure hope so.

When I first saw the fliers and signs for that place I thought it was a clever design....but the renderings showed it sort of back from the street.

As it grows, and grows, and grows.....and GROWS...it is way, way, way more huge than I pictured it in my tiny mind.

Anyway, can't wait to see who throws big bucks down to have a really sweet view of Barone's.

I think there could be some validity to that overheard conversation, but I think we all know that this village is run by people smarter than that. Nobody would sign off on such plans without seeing if a bloody fire truck would fit back there. Just send the little trucks in. We do have little trucks, don't we?

It's big. Really big. And when I say really big....I seriously mean reeeeeally big.

$600-800K+++ for a view of the Clinic's building wall and the constant aroma of pizza? I think I'll stay put.

It is a curious locale.

Empty nest haven

Hey, MD...you should move your house into their parking area before you sell it. Apparently, that is the hot place to live these days. Might help you sell quicker and for more dough.

From Wheaton Downtown Economic Analysis Report - August 2004

"C. Competitive Condominium and Townhouse Projects in Nearby Communities

In addition to the condominium and townhouse developments in Wheaton, projects in nearby Glen Ellyn and Winfield will be competitive to some degree with the planned projects in downtown Wheaton. At this time there are three new townhouse projects planned in Glen Ellyn and one condominium and townhouse project in Winfield.

The most directly competitive project with a new development in downtown Wheaton is The Mews by Vivoda Associates. The project on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Glen Ellyn will consist of 8 luxury condominiums and 24 townhouses ranging in price from $379,000 to $957,000. According to the developer, 44% of the units are under contract. The development will have a gated entry and courtyard. Each unit will have a 2-car garage. Townhouses range in size from 1,650-3,895 square feet, while the condominiums are extremely large ranging from 2,300-4,100 square feet for the penthouse.
…
At this time, there are no other planned condominium or townhouse projects in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn or Winfield.
…
As these pages show, there is a limited amount of planned condominium and townhouse construction elsewhere in Wheaton or in neighboring Glen Ellyn and Winfield. Since Wheaton and Glen Ellyn are established communities, any new condominiums and townhouses are likely to be redevelopment projects.
…
(From the chart)
The Mews - Glen Ellyn – by Vivoda Associates.
460-476 Pennsylvania

# of Units: 8 Condos & 24 Townhomes (44% sold as of April 2004 according to the developer)

Completion Date: Late 2004 -2005

Condo: 2 BR/2.5 Baths, 2,300-4,100 sq. ft., $483K - $957K, $210 - $233 per sq. ft.

Townhome: 2 BR/2.5 Baths, 1,650-3,895 sq. ft., $379K - $926K, $230 - $233 per sq. ft.

11 townhouses and 3 condos under contract. Large master bedroom suite in all units. Gated entry and courtyard. Patios or decks, 2-car garage. 2 large penthouse units with rooftop terrace."

So, according to those Mews prices and the Zillow site, I could sell my 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house...buy a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome (stick the kids in one room....bunk beds), pocket well over $300,000 AND have everything that Glen Ellyn has to offer at my doorstep...not to mention a very short trip to get pizza.

Perhaps I should rethink my initial thoughts of the place.

Clam,
I you were located up high enough and facing to the east, do you think you could still inform the GEBB of the status of the light at the boathouse?

If not, then just stay put for the good of the community.

(Or maybe you could add some kind of covenant for the new owners that they have to report the boathouse light status. Ask GE Fan what he charges for the legal work on the sales contract.)

Well...my guess is that the townhomes would be multi-level. Perhaps from the roof?

For $300K I could hire somebody to run over and report their findings.

The following was posted on the BB about a year ago in regards to the current school board president and his laser focus on a new school building as the only solution for the current enrollment bubble.

quote:

Originally posted by Main Streeter:
Big money guys sometimes gravitate only to the solution that is big and grand.....I call it the 'Trump Effect'. The School Board President is a Real Estate Developer, building another large Townhouse development in downtown Glen Ellyn. Could it be that they ignore the less expensive offer/solution from the Park District, and hide it from discussion, due to the desire to sell property?

quote:

Originally posted by <Triumph>:
Let's be nice to the school board. Don't say personal agendas, don't say Trump like, don't say rude.

quote:

Originally posted by Main Streeter:
I think he has some significant building plans as he is a developer and may be interested in 'leaving his mark', with arrogance like Donald Trump.

quote:

Originally posted by jombl:
It would appear that Mr. Vivoda, a developer, has a bit of Trump in him and wishes to leave his mark behind on the village.

quote:

Originally posted by sundance:
I will add that the Vivoda family lives in a modest home and John's wife works as a nurse, so this Trump stuff is out of line.

I must say that I do not know all the details of what a developer does and his involvement, but that development seems huge to me. Adding the cost of the units for all selling at the low end to all selling at the high end would add up to sale prices between $13 million to $30 million.

What is the return on this type of venture for the developer? Are the Trump suggestions appropriate and is he looking to move into a bigger house?

GE, At least they're in a nice neighborhood.We work on these buildings all over the city and it still amazes me at what people will pay to live in old buildings in crappy areas. Throw out the bums, Get rid of the rats. Renovate the building and they're 75 to 100% sold before they're finished.

It's big...really big, it's close to the street...it looks nothing (at this point) like the architect's drawings.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
Did I mention that these buildings suck...and look nothing like the drawings? If not, well they do!

If I have, please accept my apologies.

I have also noticed a slight vacuum when passing by

His political life is in shambles...and his professional life is offered at a 5% discount. I hope his personal life is working out.

Unavailable for comment

I walked by the muse today. Stared at that artist's conceptual drawing placed out front for the longest time trying to figure from what direction the embarrassingly enormous structure is supposed to resemble the drawing. There is not one roofline, window or wall that even looks remotely similar.

I could only conclude one thing.... Either someone got paid off big time, or the G.E. Zoning Board is completely incompetent. Or both.

Let's see ...

The Mews development is pitched before the fact as tasteful and a project that fits the character of Glen Ellyn, but once approved it morphs into a enormous monstrosity.

District 41's Referendum of 2001 is pitched before the vote as a $550 increase for a $300,000 home and specific set of educational improvements, but once approved it morphs into much greater tax increase and leads to massive personnel increases and other various pet projects.

Is there a common thread between these situations?

quote:

Originally posted by GELady:
Let's see ...

The Mews development is pitched before the fact as tasteful and a project that fits the character of Glen Ellyn, but once approved it morphs into a enormous monstrosity.

District 41's Referendum of 2001 is pitched before the vote as a $550 increase for a $300,000 home and specific set of educational improvements, but once approved it morphs into much greater tax increase and leads to massive personnel increases and other various pet projects.

Is there a common thread between these situations?

Yes! Ever see the old movie musical "The Music Man"?

If you haven't (and probably most people now haven't), then there's a Simpsons episode about the Springfield Monorail. It's a little like that.

A brief synopsis:

People are happy - no problems exist. Some deviant criminal persuasive from an unknown place appears. Says there's a problem. A big dog and pony show salesjob is made by that person to solve the non-problem. Some people buy it (literally or figuratively). Mutual mass illusion ensues. Everyone buys it. Nobody notices while deviant criminal persuasive type cleans out the townspeople. Nobody notices while deviant criminal persuasive type bails. People begin to figure out scam. Disbelief. People of town have been taken to as many cleaners as there are or will someday be at or near Five Corners.

Is that what you were saying?