Above / A Community Open House slated for May 16 invites Naperville residents to review concepts for downtown development at the site of a landmark at 110 S. Washington St., the old Nichols Library.
Developer Dwight Avram will host a Community Open House from 6:30 to 8:30PM on Tues., May 16, to present design options for the proposed redevelopment of 110 S. Washington Street, once the site of the Nichols Library.
The Open House will be held at the Naperville Chamber of Commerce Conference Room located in Main Street Promenade at 55 S. Main Street, in Downtown Naperville. The conference room is located on the third floor on the west end (Webster Street side) of the building.
Community Open House welcomes residents and downtown merchants
The Open House will allow residents and Downtown merchants to view renderings of front elevation design options for the proposed mixed use retail, office and residential building to replace the current Truth Lutheran Church which is relocating to north Naperville. Additional displays will address building height, parking, traffic and land use for the proposed project which is planned to include first floor retail/restaurant space, second floor offices as well as two floors of condominiums overlooking Washington Street and Central Park. Onsite parking for both residents and office tenants are included within the proposed building.
“We have been working diligently with City Planning and TED Staff and have discussed the project with the Naperville Development Partnership as well as Naper Settlement to ensure we are being sensitive to the significance of the old Nichols Library building,” said Avram in a written statement. “While the building has been the site of Truth Lutheran Church and has undergone extensive renovation over the years, we hope to honor the heritage of the property and the contributions Mr. Nichols made to the community. This Open House is a chance for residents to see the efforts we are making to honor that legacy as we design a beautiful and economically viable new building which will serve the community proudly for the next 100 years.”
Plans include development of a public gallery recounting the role of prominent businessman and benefactor James L. Nichols and the history of the library building. Additional efforts are being made by the developer to save various architectural features of the building and feature them within the new structure. Residents attending the Open House will have the opportunity to review two design concepts, talk with architects and planners and leave comments which will be presented to the City.
Story submitted by Deb Newman for Developer Dwight Avram. (PN Photos May 10, 2017)
Editor’s Note, May 11, 2017 / In response to FAQ and other inquiries since this story was posted, the following info is featured on the National Parks Service website: National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are nationally significant historic places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.
Today, just over 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction. Working with citizens throughout the nation, the National Historic Landmarks Program draws upon the expertise of National Park Service staff who guide the nomination process for new Landmarks and provide assistance to existing Landmarks.
