Riverside continues to make smart choices about new development in the downtown area. Last week, the village board approved a special use permit for a 22-unit apartment building on Burlington Street.
There’s a lot to like about this project. It adds density precisely where the village government has deemed it appropriate – along the Metra line where transit-oriented development is so natural. The project will bring the first two live-work units to its first floor. This is a great, and somewhat old school, concept allowing an apartment to front a commercial workspace toward the street while there is apartment living in the back.
This building, from developer Patrick Leone, also takes substantial steps toward green construction. It will include a green roof, high-efficiency appliances and permeable pavers, all worthy efforts that exceed current zoning requirements.
It was good to see multiple Riverside residents speak in favor of this project, a counterbalance to the usual NIMBY objections.
As always, Riverside has an interesting balance to strike between preserving its remarkable built heritage while avoiding vacuum-sealing the village in a past century. This project threads the needle well. We look forward to other projects that offer such balance.
Improvements at LTHS
Well, 1956 was a long time ago. And public spaces built in that era are certainly going to need new thinking and substantial upgrades. So it is good to see Lyons Township High School actively investing in its campuses.
On the freshman-sophomore South Campus, the dank and rank cafeteria will be moved to a new building that will include an added common space for students. New music classrooms will be constructed on the site of the old cafeteria space. A batch of other updates – lighting, accessible bathrooms, AC – will be added at both campuses.
Bonds have been let for some of the work and construction could begin as early as next spring. Other aspects of the costly work will be put out to bid in the months to come.
Overall, this is a comprehensive and thoughtful update of these school buildings. Funding sources – both bonds and cash reserves – are a reasonable way to fund construction.