Geneva Unveils Plans for Large-Scale Downtown Residential Development
CREDIT: city of Geneva
CREDIT: city of Geneva
Ask just about any suburban planner about the Holy Grail of downtown revitalization these days, and the first thing you’re likely to hear is a speech about the importance of residential development. Across the country, demand is growing for housing in walkable neighborhoods with access to public transportation, parks and civic spaces.
The city of Geneva could be taking a big step in that direction with the recent announcement that a high-profile site at Seventh Street and State Street might be the home of a 219-unit apartment building — bringing much sought-after upscale living to downtown Geneva.
The 4.5-acre site that once was slated as a new home for the Geneva Public Library is now being targeted for an amenities-rich apartment complex, including an outdoor rooftop pool and sundeck, outdoor kitchen and gardens, resident lounge, Internet café, 24-hour fitness center, off-leash dog run, dog-wash and bicycle kitchen.
The community is invited to learn about the future development during a Plan Commission public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at Geneva City Hall Council Chambers, 109 James St.
The Seventh and State street proposal calls for a 219-unit apartment building, a 353-space parking structure, 106 surface parking spaces, a 5,940-square-foot retail building and the extension of Seventh Street from West State Street to Peyton Street. During the public hearing, Marquette Companies will give a presentation on their development plans, and residents will have an opportunity to provide feedback.
The project plans are posted in the Agenda Center on the city’s website. Scroll down until you find “Plan Commission” and you can download the agenda packet.
All documents and plans also are on file and available for public inspection during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) in the Community Development Department at City Hall, 22 S. First St. A 3-dimensional model and additional renderings of the proposed project are available for review in Council Chambers during normal business hours. Please note, the model is intended to portray scale and does not represent all of the building or site details.
The project area includes property bounded by Peyton Street to the north, State Street to the south, Richards Street to the west and Seventh Street (extended north to Peyton) to the east. The area includes a land parcel located at the southeast corner of the Seventh (extended) and Peyton street.
People who have questions or concerns regarding the project can contact City Planner Paul Evans at 630-845-9654 or pevans@geneva.il.us as well as Community Development Director David DeGroot at 630-232-0814 or ddegroot@geneva.il.us.
SOURCE: city of Geneva news release and website
NARRATIVE OF PROJECT APPLICATION
Seventh and State is a proposed mixed-use development including an upscale, amenity-rich, multi-family rental building anchored to and architecturally integrated with a precast parking structure on the north end of the site. The development also includes a proposed commercial/retail lot on the south frontage of the development site on State Street. The overall development site is 4.5606 acres, including right-of-way.
The site includes the former Cetron property as well as a lot owned by Burgess Norton at the southeast corner of Richards and Peyton, which is currently improved with an office building and parking lot. The former Cetron building was demolished by Petitioner to make way for the project and the existing office building on the Burgess Norton will be demolished upon receipt of approvals. As part of the project, Burgess Norton will obtain licensing rights to the first floor of the parking structure for its commercial use.
The multifamily component of the proposed development will contain 219 upscale, market-rate apartment homes, and will feature 9’ceilings, granite counters, stainless appliances, in-unit washer and dryers, plank flooring, and quality millwork. The property is also planned to be rich in amenities, including an outdoor rooftop pool and sundeck, outdoor kitchen and gardens, resident lounge, internet café, 24-hour fitness center, off-leash dog run, dog-wash, and bicycle kitchen. Resident and guest parking will be provided in the parking structure (280 spaces) and other on-site surface spaces (96 spaces).
The commercial/retail component is envisioned as an approximately 5,900 SF single user with frontage on State Street. This use will be designed and built to suit the future retail operator.
Finally, as contemplated by the City’s Downtown Station-Area Master Plan, the plan calls for the extension of 7th Street north of State Street and will create a fully signalized four-way intersection at Seventh and State Streets. The extension will significantly improve circulation and access within the area and will promote compatibility with future redevelopment of adjacent commercial sites.
Marquette Companies was founded in 1983 and is the developer of the proposed Seventh and State Development. Marquette is based in Naperville, Illinois and has a 31 year history of developing and operating multi-family and mixed-use developments, and currently operates over 10,000 multifamily units across the Midwest and Texas.
About Geneva, IL
Located 40 miles west of Chicago along the Fox River, Geneva is home to 21,495 residents and serves as the seat of Kane County government. Geneva’s character is found in its historic architecture, adaptive re-use of historic buildings, mature landscapes and open space with more than 700 acres of park land. With festivals and events year-round, Geneva is a place to connect with others for shopping, dining or browsing art galleries. Home to excellent schools, library and parks, Geneva continues to be one of the premier cities in the Chicago area to live, work, play and raise a family. For the latest news, visit the city’s website at www.geneva.il.us.
