Out-Of-Compliance Elmhurst Lot To Be Paved

ELMHURST, IL – A gravel parking lot in downtown Elmhurst remains out of compliance, but the owner says it is set to be paved.

Last week, Elmhurst resident Jim Colbert brought up the issue of the gravel lot to the city through its online reporting system.

The lot at 168 N. Addison Ave. is part of the neighboring New Home Star.

Shortly after Colbert's inquiry, the city said it contacted property management to bring the parking lot into compliance.

In response, the property manager said the business was in the process of submitting an application for a permit to pave the lot, according to the city.

On Wednesday, the city confirmed the business followed through.

In an interview, Taylor Holop, senior director of corporate operations for New Home Star, said the permitting process has begun. He said the parking lot would be done as soon as possible after the city approves a permit.

"We have worked with the city to get the parking lot paved and striped," he said.

Under a 5-year-old agreement, New Home Star was set to get $335,000 in city economic development money for a project to construct a three-story building.

But New Home Star was unable to meet the deadline earlier this year, with Holop citing supply chain issues.

He said the company has returned any city money it had been given. The money came through a city tax increment financing district, or TIF.