Developer Picked for Downtown Site

The City Council on Monday turned to the mayor to cast the deciding vote in picking a developer for a city-owned block in downtown Elmhurst.

In an 8-7 vote, the council agreed to negotiate with Morningside Group to build a residential and retail mega-project on Hahn Street between Addison Avenue and York Street.

Mayor Thomas Marcucci said the council and staff will take prudent steps in negotiating a contract with the Chicago-based developer.

“We go forward with hopes and aspirations, but not naively,” he said.

Morningside beat out the La Grange-based Gammonley Group for the right to put up one of the biggest developments ever in the city. Morningside was the choice of city staff and a consultant hired to analyze both proposals.

Morningside’s proposal includes 82 condos, seven townhouses and roughly 20,000 square feet of retail space.

Negotiations between the city and developer will begin after the council meets in executive session in early January, officials said.

Talks are expected to center on the developer’s willingness to reimburse the city for land costs. The incentive-laden plan includes about $10 million in city-owned property. Morningside has an option on a gas station, valued at about $2.1 million, officials said.