Envy Apartment

A saga spanning the last year and a half over whether Lafayette's Circle Motel — a collection of ramshackle buildings with an even grainier past — should remain preserved as a part of the city's history was decided earlier this week, and it looks like the venerable motel will be allowed to redevelop. The news came to the delight of the owner, Mike Macinko, whose disdain for the dilapidated buildings has led to the spectacle of an owner actively, and publicly, campaigning to demolish his own property. The City Council tabled the discussion in December after being unable to find whether or not the structures on the property were of " overwhelming historical significance to the community," as required under the city's Historical Preservation Board . Plans for how the property could be redeveloped are still up in the air, Macinko says. Any development plans will have to sift through the city's planning process. Plans for high- density urban apartments were disc...

●On July 24 a resident brought found property to the Riverview police station . The resident found a red box containing traffic triangles along the side of westbound King Road . ●A resident at American House Riverview Senior Living , 20300 Fort St., reported $350 stolen from a dresser in his bedroom. He reported the theft July 24 and said it occurred during the previous week. ●Hawkins Trucking, 17800 W. Jefferson, reported the theft of 26 batteries from its fleet of semitrucks. The thefts were reported to police shortly after 4:30 a.m. Aug. 3. The owner said the batteries were disconnected properly and none of the battery cables were cut. Approximately 18 of the batteries were gel batteries, valued at $280 apiece; and eight batteries were standard batteries valued at $130 each. Additionally, a set of ignition keys for one of the trucks was missing. The main gate to the property was left open throughout the night. The gate’s lock was broken at that time, rendering the property unable...

DOWNSIZERS unable to relocate might be sitting on hundreds of family-sized properties across the Bayside region . Despite new government incentives that allow downsizers aged 65 or over to inject $300,000 into superannuation if they sell their home, many are refusing to do so because the right stock is not available. Namely, single-level units. Branon Real Estate sales professional Cam Saba said many prospective downsizers in Bayside were in touch with him regularly. A DEVELOPING MARKET: Homeowners turn to redevelopment to realise value “I’m currently dealing with about 100 of them, trying to find them homes,” Mr Saba said. “If you consider how many might be dealing with other agents, there could be hundreds of homes ready to be listed across Bayside. “They’re willing to sell their large houses, but the stock they want (single-level units) isn’t there, and they all want to stay in the area.” Bayside resident Valerie Maniatis said she had been looking to downsize for around four ...

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS — When Mary Myles became program manager of The Graham Home 25 years ago , 30 adults with special needs occupied 65 square-foot apartments. "It was tough on Mary when the place closed," said Gracepoint project manager Susan Morgan . "She'd be the one putting a bucket out when it leaked." Today, a partnership between Gracepoint and DDA Development has brought about a suitable replacement for the senior living facility . The Graham reopened last month and now Mary Myles sits in a corner office on the same property, overlooking a community garden and lush landscape. The 80 residents now occupy 646 square-foot apartments. No need for a bucket. "We wanted to create something better for them," Myles said. Gracepoint privately funded the project, the first affordable housing units Gracepoint built from the ground-up using low income housing tax credits and a loan from the state of Florida. "Mary had been making do with nothing,...

BRIDGEVIEW, IL — Updated 3:19 p.m. -- Harlem Avenue between 81st and 95th Streets has been reopened after Bridgeview police and other nearby police departments spent several hours searching for a robbery suspect. Police were unable to locate the suspect and it's unknown at this time if officers have called off their search. The incident unfolded shortly before noon Thursday when a person was robbed on the property of the Salvation Army and Donation Center at 90th Street and Harlem Avenue. A similar robbery occurred there last week. This story is developing. Check back later for updates. Update 1:21 p.m. -- Northbound traffic being diverted off Harlem Avenue on to 95th Street. Police are focused on an address in the 9000 block of South Harlem Avenue . Don't know if the suspect is inside or outside the building. Update, 12:49 p.m.: 5th District SWAT has been activated, according to a police source. Original story: Bridgeview Police and the Southwest Suburban Major Crim...