Elgin Granite Works

The subdivision unveiled its granite monument and held its first Memorial Day-related gathering in 2014.Russell said one reason he and his neighbors have the observance is that many veterans and first responders have lived in the manufactured home community over the decades. "It's also because it's been 72 years since World War II, and that's a long time. I was just 2 when the war started, and with the passage of time it seems we're remembering less and less," he said. "Those who served sacrificed their lives for us so that we could be a free country. I am one of those people who heard their stories, and I believe we should honor our veterans."Russell noted that World War II veterans Mae Tangman, who now lives in a senior care facility, and the late Norval Nelson, were among those who spearheaded getting the Willow Lakes memorial built. Willow Lake resident and veteran Mike Natale formed the initial committee for getting the project off the ground in 2011, along with Dennis Kittler, Mary Lou Baldwin and Russell. Natale passed away, Russell said, but was present for the first commemoration in 2014.Russell is president of the area's homeowners associations and has lived in the 51-year-old development for more than 10 years. The 55-and-over community is nestled along the Fox River on the city's northwest side, not far from Interstate 90 and Elgin's Riverside Water Treatment Plant.Now a monument stands on the island on the subdivision's lake that people can access from a footbridge. Volunteers worked with the Tecza Landscape Group on the design and landscaping and subdivision owners Equity LifeStyle Properties (ELS) pitched in for the project, Russell said.Subdivision residents take care of the island memorial and even contribute plants for its landscaping, Russell said.The gathering at Willow Lakes Estates is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, and will include an honor guard, color guard, 21-rifle salute and the playing of Taps, courtesy of Elgin American Legion Post 57, according to Russell.Local dignitaries committed to attending, Russell said, include, Elgin ... (Chicago Tribune)

Mitch Braam, project manager for Skender Construction of Chicago, said some blueprints didn't quite match what workers found inside the 1929-era building, whose beams and stairs aren't aligned as in modern buildings. As a result, floor plans for the 44 one-and two-bedroom apartments vary greatly, Braam said.advertisement"Every unit has a different look; every unit has a unique twist to it," he said.Construction within the 15-story building is more than halfway done and expected to be finished by December, Braam said.The building had fallen into disrepair and was bought by Capstone Development Group of St. Louis, which broke ground in September.Officials have said the project amounts to about $16.6 million. That includes $6.35 million in tax increment financing from the city, plus several million dollars in state and federal historic tax credits. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The building initially was expected to be ready by May, but the project progressed more slowly than anticipated because it hinges on historic preservation, said property manager Chris Pezza of Miller Chicago Real Estate."The more layers of approval are needed, the more time it takes," Miller said. "It's not like anybody dropped the ball or there were major surprises."The longest delay was to get approval for 272 custom-made windows, whose first shipment is expected in mid-September."It was very difficult to find something that met all the criteria," Miller said.The developer can get income tax credits amounting to a total 45 percent of eligible expenses -- 25 percent in state credits and 20 percent in federal credits, said Anthony Rubano of the Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency.His agency approves state historic tax credits and forwards its recommendation to the National Park Service, which approves federal tax credits, Rubano said.The developer submitted a budget of $10.7 million in eligible expenses in 2015, he said.So far, everything has progressed "pretty smoothly," Rubano said. "It's a great building" with a project managed by "... (Chicago Daily Herald)