Uptown apartment work could begin soon

NORMAL Work on an apartment building that will attach to the south side of the College Avenue parking deck could begin by mid-October.

To meet that timeline, developers Illinois Construction is asking the Normal City Council to formally close on the property before the plan has received approval from the Uptown Design Review Committee. That meeting will take place Oct. 8.

The town owns the property and plans to sell it to the developers for $57,000. City Manager Mark Peterson said the proposal to be considered by the council includes a clause that returns the property to the town if the project does not move forward.

Jeff Tinervin, one of Illinois Constructions owners, said the complex, called Uptown North, would be open for move-in in August. Rents would range from about $850 to $1,850 a month.

Planned are four styles of apartments in a six-story building: a studio; a two-bedroom, two-bath townhome; a two-bedroom, 2-bathroom; and a three-bedroom, 3-bathroom.

A previous agreement with the town allows tenants to lease parking spaces at the College Avenue parking deck.

The idea of the apartment complex known as liner housing was first supported by the council in 2004 when it approved a redevelopment pact with Brady Construction and Development. The project never got off the ground after the recession hit the area.

A year ago, Rodney Poole and Associates of Champaign proposed the most recent liner housing project. Illinois Construction has since become the principal developer for the project. The developer has not asked for any public financial assistance for the project. In other matters, the council will consider a four-year contract with its firefighters and expand the enterprise zone to include downtown Bloomington. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Uptown Station.

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Uptown apartment work could begin soon