Village Council Approves Midwestern University Expansion

With a holiday break looming, Tuesday night's village council meeting didn't take more than 15 minutes from pledge to adjournment. There were no public comments, no first readings and no new business.

The commissioners did, however, unanimously aprove a preliminary planned development amendment for the construction of a five-story medical/dental teaching clinic and six-level parking garage at the Esplanade at Locust Point,  3450 Lacey Road. The facility will provide clinic space for Midwestern University, which occupies a campus at 555 31st St.

Director of Community Development Tom Dabareiner earlier presented the ordinance at the Dec. 14 meeting, after it gained the approval of the plan commission. The clinic would house 110 employees and 120 students and serve 300 to 400 clients each day, Dabareiner said. The 899-car parking garage would include be five levels above ground and one below.

"This facility will be part of the university, but it's almost like a second campus here in Downers Grove," Dr. Kathleen Goeppinger, Midwestern' president and CEO, said Dec. 14. "We felt like we really wanted to make a statement."

At that meeting, commissioners Sean Durkin, Geoff Neustadt and Bob Barnett all expressed gratitude that the school stuck with Downers Grove in planning its new development.

"We are excited about your continued investment in our community," Barnett said. "I'm looking forward to the project actually starting to dig in the dirt."

Mayor Ron Sandack agreed.

 "This is an economic win in any time, but in this economic era, this is a particular win," Sandack said.

The university worked with Downers Grove to mitigate three concerns the village had with the development: the use of an existing entrance to the site and nearby day care center as a construction entrance, a potential stormwater flow "pinch point" between the service drive and the south property line, and a space problem on two sides of the clinic building which would prohibit the fire department from having ladder-truck access.

According to the ordinance, Midwestern confirmed during the Plan Commission meeting the existing entrance would not be used for construction and the university will provide plans on how to deal with the pinch point. It also will "explore alternatives" to ensure ladder truck access on the two sides.

In other action:

• A resolution authorizing the renewal of the cable television franchise agreement between the village and Comcast and a ordinance amending the budget for fiscal year 2010 were unanimously passed.
• Village Manager Dave Feldman announced that Assistant Director of Public Works Michael Millette was chosen by the American Public Works Assocation for a 2010 Community Involvement Award.
• Commissioner Bruce Beckman said a few words to commemorate Dave Powers, a 20-year District 99 school board veteran who passed away on Dec. 17.