The Plan Commission approved the design of an eight-story apartment building to be constructed on Mendota Court Monday night.
The design and density of the complex elicited enthusiastic responses from local residents, neighborhood representatives and current tenants of the building’s future landlord.
The apartment complex will have 100 bedrooms, a lobby with 13-foot ceilings accented with glass, a resident manager living on-site, Patrick Corcoran, developer and future manager of the building said.
Local residents were most concerned with parking, trash management and safety. The high density of the building also raised debate as to whether it would function well in the neighborhood.
A manager of two properties on Mendota Court added the design would replace the current 26 bedrooms of the site with 100 bedrooms and eliminate the nine existing parking spots.
“We do not believe a building with this density can be appropriately managed,” Harvey Temkin, attorney with Reinhart Law, said. “There is no parking provided and lack of access for service vehicles, pizza delivery drivers, et cetera, and this is problematic.”
Developer Gary Brink said the goal is to eliminate parking and create an entirely pedestrian, bicycle and moped form of traffic. The design accommodates the idea by including indoor bicycle storage, a large door with push button access to aid bicyclists and 27 moped stalls.
“I like the idea of a building that says really loud and clear ‘No cars allowed’,” Ald. Lauren Cnare, District 3, said.
Safety was another featured concern and was addressed by current residents of Mendota Court.
One resident said he has witnessed many drug deals take place in the cul-de-sac because “cops just do not go down there.” He said the addition of more people would add to the safety concerns.
Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, responded to the safety issues raised by tenants of the area:
“With the new complex, lighting will be greatly increased and added security and surveillance will provide more safety for residents.”
Corcoran said in terms of parking and safety, he hopes the building will be a catalyst to improve this street and bring it up to code.
Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8, lives across the street from the site at 614 Mendota Court. He supports the project, stating many improvements have been made in terms of internal workings and design.
“[The building] is a great investment providing quality student housing close to campus,” Eagon said. “Passing on the project would be an opportunity missed.”
James Boll, a city resident appointee to the commission, spoke in favor of the project. He said the public cannot condemn a particular project by thinking something may happen, like illegal parking.
Boll added most of the concerns seem to be about how the project will affect individual property, not the city as a whole.
The meeting drew 12 members of the public to speak their opinions concerning the proposed building. After hearing from both sides, the commission approved the project, recommending it to the City Council.
