By Carie Kuehn
NORMAL – The Normal Town Council unanimously approved a partnership with Tartan Realty in Chicago to develop a new multi-use building in Uptown Normal.
The action taken at Tuesday night’s meeting was to begin design work on office space on the second layout of the development.
“It is moving along,” said City Manager Mark Peterson. “I think you will begin to see construction activity on the site in August.”
The site is right across from Uptown Station. The five-story building is set to include and restaurant on the first floor, offices on the second, and residential apartments on the remaining three levels. Economic and residential development in Uptown was the goal for this project.
“That’s an important part in what we are trying to achieve in Uptown. Not only new business development–retail and commercial–but a residential component, both student and non-student.”
According to Peterson, the building will be a brick and stone building with a steel frame. The apartments will be high-quality with extensive soundproofing to ensure a quiet living space.
“I think people who are attracted to those units want to be in an urban setting: the excitement, the lifestyle, you can walk out the door and have several restaurant options, as well as the proximity to the university.”
The construction is set to begin by the end of summer. Peterson says construction should take 10 to 12 months.
Carie Kuehn can be reached at carie.kuehn@cumulus.com.
