The historic Gray’s Mill site in Montgomery may soon become home to a banquet facility and bar.
Montgomery officials recently heard plans for a $1.6 million renovation project to turn Gray’s Mill at 121 N. River St. into Gray’s Estate.
A small contingent of local business owners have come together to attempt the project. Phil Cullen, the owner of Ballydoyle restaurants, which includes a pub in downtown Aurora, as well as Mike Baum, a retired businessman, presented the proposal recently to the Montgomery Village Board.
The developers said the renovation would keep the historic nature of the mill intact but include an addition with a retractable roof and an old grain silo aimed to create the illusion of a lighthouse on the river.
The businessmen spent over an hour at a recent Village Board meeting explaining their vision for the project. They said changing the name from Gray’s Mill to Gray’s Estate allows the old name to remain on the renovated site.
The first floor would become Foundry Hall, and would be a venue for wedding receptions and other banquets. In the basement would be Danny Boy’s, a “speak easy” with a bar and game room.
The top level of the building would become guest quarters for those involved in the wedding receptions at the site.
Phase two of the project would include a two-story addition with a retractable roof and would be located on the south side of the current building. Cullen said once that project is completed, more weddings could be held at the facility.
Village Board members said they were open to the project and that it would make Montgomery a destination in the area for weddings and other events, all alongside the Fox River.
The developers have asked for $400,000 in grants from the Montgomery Economic Development Fund to help with the project. The fund is designed to aid development in the Mill District.
Trustee Doug Marecek said he is excited at the prospect of the project but like other board members was under the impression that site would be a restaurant.
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“I am excited for the whole project. The financial input is big but if that is what we need to kick-start and make things happen,” Trustee Dan Gier said. “I feel better. I think this is good for downtown.”
Village President Matt Brolley said the proposed project is a good one.
“It will make it a destination,” he said. “We would really have something so beautiful.”
The board was informally in favor of the project, with Brolley saying “I think the grants need to be built into an agreement” for the proposed development.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.