Flossmoor trustees unanimously approved a development agreement on Monday, Dec. 16, with BG Park Centre, a company formed by two long-time local developers to explore the possibility of building townhomes in the 2600 block of Flossmoor Road.

BG Park Centre partners are Byron Gregory and Gene Steinmarch, both of whom are Flossmoor residents with extensive experience as developers in the South Suburbs. 

Gregory and Steinmarch presented the village with a plan to build 13 townhomes, expected to be priced at about $400,000. Each two-story unit would have its own two-car garage. The development also would include a pocket park open to the public and a 2,300-square-foot cafe.

After calling the meeting to order, Mayor Michelle Nelson offered clarification about what the agreement consists of and where in the process it is.

“Approval tonight would simply give the developer control over the property for a set period of time,” she said, noting that the process could take about 10 months and would include engineering, financing, testing and further design before the developers could seek final approval from the board. “So there are a lot of meetings in between now and actually getting something in the ground.”

The development, she said, “will bring in property and sales tax revenue to help offset the residential tax burden.”

Gregory said he passes the site regularly.

“I’ve had many visions about what could happen there,” he said, but he noted that although the land is very visible in its proximity to downtown, it’s really a small area that might be best suited for infill housing. “I think we found something that works.”

He said the cafe would help extend the downtown business district by attracting people shopping on Sterling Avenue to go around the corner and head west on Flossmoor Road.

Steinmarch said he and Gregory explored a number of options, including a development similar to what’s portrayed on the “for sale” sign posted on the lot. The village had marketed the site as a possible mixed-use development with commerce on the first floor and 24 apartments above.

“It’s not feasible economically,” Steinmarch said. “We believe we can do this project (and) be proud of it.”

Trustees express support

Before the board voted on the redevelopment agreement trustees offered their thoughts. George Lofton said he was glad the developers were Flossmoor residents. 

“You’ve got some skin in the game,” he said, and he stressed the importance of putting the land to productive use. “It’s been a long time just being a vacant lot. There’s no value in it and it ain’t pretty.”

Trustee Jim Mitros said the village has few townhomes, so the proposal might fill a demand that is not currently being met. 

Residents’ concerns and support

During the public comment section of the meeting prior to the developers’ presentation, several residents expressed concerns or opposition to the plan before the board.

Nellsyn Hill said she hoped the trustees would vote against the agreement. 

“I believe it’s the wrong development for the community. This high value lot represents a great opportunity for expanding our central business district in a vibrant and walkable location,” she said, adding that a “higher density project would impact the community in more powerful, positive and meaningful ways than the proposed 13 town homes and the cafe.”

She also asked for transparency with the process, with “more workshopping, more presentations which are open to the community involving all potential developers.”

Long-time resident Gloria Lippert also urged the board to consider a higher density solution. Her husband, Jeffrey Lippert, a member of the village Green Commission, said the commission should be consulted, too, about the environmental consequences of any development. Nelson assured him the commission would be involved in the process.

He also urged the board to look into a project that would add more to the downtown’s commercial offerings.

“Businesses draw businesses. Let’s make it so people want to come to Flossmoor,” he said.

Gigi Gummerson said the village started trying to redevelop the land in the 2600 block of Flossmoor Road 25 years ago, back when she was a trustee.

“So I understand that the challenge in bringing development and commercial retail space to the area,” she said. 

She said the specifics of the plan are less important than the imperative to fill the space, because downtown shops are struggling and need help.

“The problem is these little stores who put their heart and soul into them are dying,” she said. “I don’t care, 60 units, townhouses, it doesn’t matter to me. I think it’s just amazing that you found somebody, because the past three mayors trying to get some kind of building done down there and it’s never happened. So I applaud you all for taking this on because it is a big challenge.”