The beavers are driving Arvydas Laucius crazy.
The critters who inhabit a pair of waterways have eaten $1,000 in new perennial plants at the new Fay’s Point development where Laucius is managing partner.
Planned for 74 townhouses, 304 condos and an 80-slip boat marina on a peninsula that juts out between the Cal-Sag Channel and the Little Calumet River, the 40-acre development is in south suburban Blue Island.
Blue Island? The Cal-Sag Channel?
Yes, the quiet town on historic waterways that many people remember as a stand-in for much of old, industrial Chicago.
Many of the polluters of the past have gone silent, the Deep Tunnel project has redirected Chicago’s storm wastewater and The Clean Water Act has forced improvements in Northern Illinois waterways, including these.
Several aeration stations have helped add oxygen and return life to the water along the 16-mile Cal-Sag Channel over the last decade. The aeration stations, which have become local attractions and the backdrop for numerous prom and wedding pictures, look like small man-made waterfalls.
They might be seen as smaller versions of the waterfall surrounding the water cannon over the Chicago River east of Michigan Avenue.
The beavers and other wildlife can be spotted from the development site, which is across the water from a forest preserve. The animals offer evidence of the improvement in water quality on the Cal-Sag and Little Calumet.
With a new shopping center on the site of the former Raceway Park auto speedway across the water just to the north, the developers believe the site offers weekend recreation opportunities within reach of modern comforts.
And with the old channel businesses such as a refinery gone, south suburban politicians led by Blue Island Mayor Donald Peloquin are pushing to re-name the 85-year old shipping canal the Calumet River. They are hoping to market it as a recreational resource to revitalize the economies of several close-in suburbs.
Fay’s Point is one of the first major developments to take up the challenge of selling buyers on the notion that this is a weekend playground on the water.
Laucius and his partner Murray Weinberg compare their project to the early development along the cleaned up and now-trendy Chicago River.
Unlike the condo buildings and townhouses lining the downtown Chicago waterway, however, Fay’s Point is planned with a more resort-like atmosphere, says Laucius, an avid boater who has been active at the Montrose Harbor Yacht Club.
Though the project has attracted buyers of all kinds, the core demographic is empty-nesters down-sizing and those buying a second home on the water, some of whom want to cut commuting time from an on-the water location in Indiana or Michigan, Laucius says.
Buyers have come from neighboring suburbs or from downtown Chicago, the Logan Square neighborhood and the nearby Beverly area. There also have been a few from western suburbs such as Elmhurst.
Pushing the easy commute angle, Laucius says the development is about 20 miles from the Loop. It is served by about 40 trains daily to and from the Loop on two rail lines that stop in downtown Blue Island, several blocks from the development.
In addition, the development is close to several major expressways. Interstate Highway 57 passes nearly within view. A bridge on Ashland Avenue overlooks the site and a number of people have found their way to the new homes after spying Fay’s Point from the bridge.
It is, as yet, a work in progress with earthmoving equipment more in evidence than homes. But the restoration of the wetlands around the banks of the peninsula is apparent, as are the boat slips, a number of which are rented.
Each slip has electrical connections and a dedicated hose bib. On the drawing board: A canoe launch, bird-watching station and a marina club with restaurant and terrace dining, as well as parking for 1,000 cars.
Several townhouses have been built, most are sold, and more are under construction. Work has yet to begin on the six condo buildings which will border the north side of the peninsula. Most of the housing will overlook the water, but will not be on it because of wetlands preservation.
About half of the 74 townhouses have sold, as well as 30 percent of the first-phase of condos. Senior Lifestyles has purchased property on the development to build an affordable senior rental apartment building for people 55 and over.
That appeared to be a bonus to one serious shopper on the day I visited. She was showing her mother around the furnished model townhouse and her mother wanted to know the site of the seniors’ apartment building, “where I can live.”
There are 12 different condo floor plans. They will be in mid-rise buildings along the north side of the peninsula. The condos range from 895-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath plans for about $191,000, to three-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath residences of more than 1,800 square feet for $363,000. All have balconies or a terrace. An indoor parking space is included in the price of each unit.
The two- to four-bedroom townhouses will be on the crest of the peninsula and on its marina side.
The initial homes are near a small neighborhood of existing homes. In keeping with the resort mood, the three-bedroom model has a full porch at the front and a balcony across the entire back of the three-level home.
The well-lighted lower level includes a garage, roughly 19 by 21 feet, across the back, and a 13-by-18-foot family room which could double as guest quarters as well as a laundry room and bathroom.
The front door to the home opens from the front porch into the open concept main floor. To the right of the door is an alcove with a discreet entrance to the powder room and coat closet.
The living room is roughly 13 by 19 feet and is open to the 13-by-18-foot dining room behind. In the model, a double-sided fireplace juts from one wall to divide and define the two spaces.
A peninsula counter at the right of the dining room divides it from the 10-by-10-foot kitchen adjacent to space which could be used for casual dining.
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Sliding doors from the dining/kitchen area open to the balcony across the back of the unit. There is a storage closet at one end of the balcony. At the other end of the balcony, a portion is covered, providing shade and some shelter from rain.
Upstairs, the master bedroom suite is at the front of the house with a bedroom about 16 by 14 feet with a generous walk-in closet as well as a full bath with tub and separate shower. There two secondary bedroom at the back of the units, 11 by 10 feet and 12 by 10 1/2 feet, with standard closets.
The development is appealing for the size and the pricing of the units. The model as shown is about 2,300 square feet for about $400,000, including $45,000 in upgrades. Those looking for a second home might be able to do without some of the extras. Laucius says so far buyers are spending an average of $5,000 to $10,000 on upgrades.
Those planning to entertain will find the open living-dining area with the broad back balcony lends itself to casual gatherings and the kitchen has enough elbow room, cabinet and counter space to accommodate those gatherings.
With greenery along both waterways, this development seems far removed from the city. And those who are new to the area may not be bothered by the past reputation of the waterways. Blue Island still retains the feel of a small town with Western Avenue, its main street, lined by local businesses such as bakeries and restaurants.
As a weekend retreat, I would like more private space than that found in a townhouse and condo development for a getaway. But I am not a boater. I’m guessing those who like to bob on the water probably find that peace and solitude only when they can get into a craft and motor or sail away.
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Townhouses at Fay’s Point, Blue Island
Base-price range: $294,040 to $524,300
FACTS & FIGURES
Two- to four-bedroom townhouses, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 baths, 2-car garages.
Townhouse floor areas: 1,852 to 3,202 square feet.
Monthly assessment: $108 to $186.
Developer: Fay’s Point LLC
Web site: www.fayspoint.com
AMENITIES
Nine-foot ceilings.
Wood laminate flooring in foyer, living and dining room, kitchen and powder room. Balconies and porches.
Granite kitchen counters, Canac cabinetry with 42-inch upper cabinets, stainless steel kitchen appliances.
Separate shower and tub and dual sinks in master baths.
Community: 74 townhouses, 304 condominiums planned as a resort-style marina development at the Cal-Sag Channel and Little Calumet River.
GETTING THERE
Address: 1522 W. Broadway, Blue Island
Phone: 708-371-7200
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