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1. MikeT
   Member

   This is a question that came out of the Sat, 1/28, workshop. I thought I'd throw it out to the forum and see what ideas come.

   One of the things that continue to be said on why the cbd has challenges is the lack of major arterial access. These two streets DO have such access, so it is worth a look to think about.

   OGDEN and HARLEM
   I notice the big parcel on the corner of Ogden and Harlem, the prof building, I believe. It seems to be very big and the parking lot looks huge and I have never seen it near capacity. I assume that is Riverside. It seems that SOMEthing can be done there. Does that bldng have any room for more tenants? if so, Since roche dietitions is health related, I wonder if they'd be a better fit in there than in the cbd?

   BURLINGTON and HARLEM
   I also notice the vacant building across from lasalle bank on burlington and harlem. anyone have ideas on what can go in there? How many sq ft is that building and what is the asking price?

   I believe I have seen a super hamburger place posited in that space in this forum before.

   would a 'healthy food place' ala Trader Joes work there?

   There seems to be tons of high density res in that area, both in Riverside and in Berwyn, so if we can think of something to attract them...

   miket

   Posted Wednesday Jan 31, 2007 21:51 #

2. Catherine
   Member

   Yeah, I'll say Burlington has major arterial access. It has no stop signs between Cowley and Delaplane. Take a walk through there and realize how much open space that is. If they take the Federal money to redo Delaplane, they will also have to minimize stop signs because it will be an artery.

   I find it funny that people didn't want a bike path, but now they want to throw the town open to speeders and God knows who.

   I can't remember what the Burlington/Harlem site looks like, but I think it would be a good spot for a health food store like Trader Joe's or Wild Oats. There is nothing like that on Harlem, and Berwyn has a lot of stylish urban refugees that I am sure would like more quality food shopping. Not enough parking though. Too bad Delaplane Crossing wasn't turned into parking - maybe a multi-level garage.

   One trustee pointed out that Harlem/Ogden is a medical facility. This might give them added protection. What other business do we have near there that could use the parking? I think all businesses (or nonprofits) in town should be convinced to share their parking (particularly when it just lies fallow like this.)

   Posted Thursday Feb 1, 2007 08:21 #

3. Catherine
   Member

   I don't see any other empty space on Harlem, do you?

   Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 01:28 #

4. ChrisHajer
   Member

   Catherine, there's not much empty space anywhere in town. Heck, they need to tear Mike's house down just for parking! But I would argue that there are several underutilized spaces, "downtown" and along Harlem and even Ogden. Redevelop/re-purpose those and take advantage of the traffic that's already there.

   Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 08:12 #

5. ChrisHajer
   Member

   Catherine, here's a satellite view on Google Maps of Burlington and Harlem.

   http://tinyurl.com/ypyc27

   There is a parking lot on the corner, a drive through ATM for the bank, and just west of that is an old building. I think there are four units in that building, one of which is the stained glass shop. I think there are four apartments upstairs. The whole building is for sale by Burlington Realty, I think. Haven't walked over there in a while.

   Oh yeah, here it is:

   
   
   http://myburlingtonrealty.com/homesearch.htm?scope=OFFICE&id=18338805&action=detail

   Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 08:29 #

6. Catherine
   Member

   OH Yes. I remember it now.

   Problem # 1 is that it is for sale by Burlington Realty, IMO. I would go to them if I wanted to sell to someone else in town, but I knew someone who had a very large Victorian up with them but had to switch to Baird Warner for it to be advertised widely and properly. And so over the last 15 years many other realtors have moved in to the market than were there before. If we want to attract the attention of fresh blood, we need wide and slick advertising, because no one knows who we are.

   This may be a teardown in the making as it doesn't have "enough" floors. I like the way it looks, too bad. Well, it's not in the TIF district. If no one has bought it, it means the price is too high.

   Speaking of, why did Delaplane Crossing switch realtors?

   Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 10:26 #

7. corbi328
   Member

   Chris,

   I agree that this site and the adjacent parking lot are underutilized and present an opportunity. The parking lot is owned by LaSalle Bank while the building is owned by a gentlemen who is too wealthy for his own good. The building is in total disrepair and is totally vacant (other than the stained glass store) and this gentlemen has received several offers for the building, but he refuses to sell unless they meet his asking price. My understanding is that he has a seven figure asking price.

   Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 10:34 #

8. ChrisHajer
   Member

   corbi:

   $1,125,000

   BRICK W-STORY BLDG WITH 4-STORE FRONTS, OVER 1500 SQ FT PLUS (4) 2-BDRM APTS; PARKING IN REAR; EACH UNIT HAS IND CAC/HEAT; CLOSE TO METRA; LOOKING FOR INVESTORY WHO CAN UPDATE AND RECEIVE TOP RENTS; GREAT POTENTIAL... IN NEED OF TLC.

   Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 10:41 #

9. Catherine
   Member

   Hm, the gentleman is probably taking those tax deductions that exceed his carrying costs that someone here keeps denying is happening with the Arcade building.

   How much is the lot price per area compared to the VC or the Sundstrom land purchases? Does anyone know? If LaSalle would sell the lot (my image is that it is not the lot their customers park in behind the bank, it would be a good site. Near Harlem, away from downtown where people here would not have to look at if it were too ugly.

   Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 11:48 #

10. corbi328
    Member

    The carrying costs in this situation are negligible since the owner probably has owned the building for many decades and purchased it for a ridiculously low sum. Quite different than paying a mortgage for a recently purchased property that cost $3.1 million. Unless the Federal governement has instituted tax rates of 100% or greater, no amount of tax deductions will compensate for the carrying costs of that mortgage.

    Posted Friday Feb 2, 2007 11:54 #

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