So if I'm following this correctly, we just need people to move into the CBD area and all will be well with our downtown? I'm going to need to shake the magic 8 ball on this one.
"Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains." (Winston Churchill)
Nothing like paying for a $100,000 downtown plan to increase commerce in the central business district only to litter it with new rowhouses before the plan is completed. I guess the western part of the CBD will stop at Citibank.
So much for bringing vitality to the area surrounding the library.
Article says the developers "were attracted to Glen Ellyn because the village has an affluent community."
Interpretation, "We were attracted to Glen Ellyn because they've pretty much let us do whatever the hell we want in the past, and we don't have any reason to think that will change."
Yep - all the downtown area needs is available housing stock for folks who want condos/townhomes priced northwards of $600k.
Originally posted by Dinsdale: Did someone say something about a plan? How's that working for you? Can't wait to get our new $100K plan we can ignore!
I need to correct myself. The current comprehensive plan can be found here, with the relevant area on page 9. (I found it best viewed in the full color summary.)
As I read it, there are no specific plans for the block in question, and I believe they intended condos/townhouses for the area directly south and stretching to the west. So it was certainly inaccurate for me to suggest this proposal was contrary to the existing plan.
Someone please pardon me if I am mis-speaking here, but the last time I got Barone's to-go, I could have sworn the Mews was only partially completed (while the exterior is done, studs are clearly visible on many of the interior units) and in foreclosure?! So clearly there is an over-supply of residential units in the CBD. So IF there was a market for affluent people, wouldn't the Mews be all sold out?? Does the village not recognize this? The rationale in that article is completely wrong. You can't create demand at $900K when you already have an over-supply. C. George, his partner and the village members who approved this are absurd. So the answer to unsold, foreclosed-upon real estate is to build more expensive real estate? Rowhouses ... maybe when they foreclose on those, the church constituencies that support the PADs program can somehow snag them for a steal and put up all the GE homeless there! Now that's an idea! There's gotta be some tax angle there ...
Originally posted by GE Fan: Nothing like paying for a $100,000 downtown plan to increase commerce in the central business district only to litter it with new rowhouses before the plan is completed. I guess the western part of the CBD will stop at Citibank.
So much for bringing vitality to the area surrounding the library.
Wow... good thing the developers got this closed before that powerful consulting group and downtown subcommittee were able to get their 2 cents in. I'm sure that would have been a real standoff.
Anyways.... A "townhouse" is a walkup condo on a residential street. A "rowhouse" is a walkup condo on a street originally intended for commerce.
Originally posted by Hyoog: So IF there was a market for affluent people, wouldn't the Mews be all sold out?? ...You can't create demand at $900K when you already have an over-supply. C. George, his partner and the village members who approved this are absurd. So the answer to unsold, foreclosed-upon real estate is to build more expensive real estate? Rowhouses ...
Who said these will be upmarket? Don't for a second think that what you get to see will get built. It has never happened. The actual construction will have a number of cheapening changes made to it, and will likely also grow larger.
Welcome to Glen Ellyn, a placid little sheep farm run by a small shadowy group of individuals who make a living off of sheep shearing.
Posts: 2107 | Location: Glen Ellyn, Il | Registered: September 23, 2003
900K!!!??????? dream on. there is a lovely townhome (?) right accross the street from this area (NOT trackside,either) which is a 3bed/2.5bath/attached garage,and a nice living area listed for 419K!!!! and let's look at the new townhomes going up on Penn. by kenilworth, all listed below 500K. THOSE might sell! but 900K in this market? sorry, i call that greed (but they, if they ever show up to buy, get an elevator!! gee wizz!!) and we get to look at more empty housing stock while the downtown does a slow death sprial. time to start thinking first, folks!
I would observe that, upon retirement, or the onset of affluence, the last place I would buy is with a backyard that abuts the train. At least this will be a place the panhandlers can ply their trade on their way to the library.
By the way, I joined my brethren on the train this morning. I parked my car on Forest Street and returned at 11:25 to be met on Forest Street and Duane by a large man looking for $3 to get on the train. Seems his imaginary car broke down. Didn't want to waste his time with the 3 rides left on my 10 ride ticket, though.
This is what Boy George must be talking about - an affluent community. Take note 50 cent Tony.
Such doubters on this board. Mark my words; By the Spring of 2011 when these rowhouses are finished, the current housing woes and "cyclical" downturn in the CBD will be a faded memory.
I guess I don't see how replacing junky old houses with new houses has any effect on the CBD at all. Seems to me like if you want to rejuvenate the CBD, you have to attract businesses to the CBD... not to the area just outside the CBD.
Or maybe I'm wrong about where the CBD is (or these proposed houses). I'm sure someone will correct me. Aren't there already townhouses across the street from this location?
