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City names preferred developer for Old Town Redevelopment site; purchase-and-sale agreement expected Feb. 17
Summary
Warrenville staff told council they prefer Denver Capital as the developer for Old Town Redevelopment Site No. 2 and will present a purchase-and-sale agreement on Feb. 17 that sets milestones and entitlements; the agreement would not transfer land immediately and public hearings and zoning entitlements remain required.
Community and Economic Development Director Emery updated the Warrenville City Council on Feb. 2 on the Old Town Redevelopment Site No. 2 at Batavia and Warrenville Roads and said staff has identified Denver Capital as the preferred developer.
Emery outlined the multi-year process the city has followed since acquiring roughly 2.38 acres in 2020, including site remediation for contaminated soils and an underground storage tank, demolition, public engagement through the 'Warrenville by Design' process, and a two-phase RFP that first sought local and then regional developer proposals.
"We have identified Denver Capital as our preferred developer," Emery said, adding that the selection prioritized a developer’s ability to collaborate with the city and deliver a project consistent with the community’s design preferences rather than the highest land price. Emery showed conceptual elevations and described proposed mixed-use buildings with first-floor commercial and upper-story residential space, public open connections to the river, and design features aligned with the Warrenville by Design guidelines.
Staff described the next formal milestone as the Feb. 17 council meeting, when a purchase-and-sale agreement with Denver Capital will be presented. Emery said the agreement will set the relationship, milestones and restrictions — but will not immediately transfer title. Zoning entitlements, plan commission and public hearings will follow and final plans will come through the public process before any land transfer and construction.
Emery said some public improvements and subdivision work already are in place to ready the site, and that Denver Capital has described an 18-month build-out timeline from permit issuance to occupancy. Emery emphasized the design shown is illustrative, not final, and that staff will work with the developer and community to align final plans with the Warrenville by Design priorities.
Alderman Berry thanked Emery and called the update “exciting,” noting long-standing community interest in developing that corner. No formal action was taken at the Feb. 2 meeting; council will consider the purchase-and-sale agreement at its Feb. 17 meeting and will vet entitlements and final designs through public hearings required by the zoning process.
