'Hang In There,' Upset Elmhurst Neighborhood Told

ELMHURST, IL – In the case of Aberdeen Court, you can judge the book by the cover.

It appears the years-long construction projects at 374 Aberdeen won't get done by Wednesday. This was mandated under an agreement last month between Elmhurst and the homeowner.

However, Mayor Scott Levin on Tuesday confirmed to neighbors that the latest project would finish Thursday.

Neighbors have expressed frustration with the 4-year-long renovation. The owner has repeatedly had contractors do work on the property, then remove it.

This week, the driveway was torn up.

"Again, I understand your frustration, and I am not trying to minimize that," Levin said in an email to neighbors. "We got a very strong agreement with (owner Harry) Hostetler, and the City has been pushing hard to keep this project on deadline."

Levin said the contractor was unable to get any concrete delivered this week because of supply shortages. The city, he said, called in a favor with Elmhurst-Chicago Stone Co., so the concrete can be poured Thursday.

"You need not remind me that it will be a day late; these things happen," the mayor said.

Levin also responded to neighbors' concerns about the lack of response from Michael Honquest, one of the two aldermen from Ward 6, where Aberdeen is. Alderwoman Emily Bastedo has been the City Council's point person on the issue.

"Note that we have two aldermen per ward. It is not unusual for one of the two aldermen to take on an issue," Levin said in the email. "Having a second alderman involved almost never advances things more quickly. Emily has taken on this one, and she has been a strong advocate for you. Ald. Honquest is fully aware of what we are doing."

The mayor added, "Please hang in there. We really are almost at the finish line."

Patch left a message for comment with Hostetler. He has declined to comment before.

He owns a $3 million house on the Lake Geneva shoreline in Wisconsin, according to public records.