This is a roundup of small stories stemming from actions taken by the Naperville City Council.
Fiamme sprinklers must be installed
The owner of the Fiamme restaurant building at 19 N. Washington St. is being required to install a fire suppression system before the end of the year.
Despite an appeal from Daniel Imburgia, of JDDD Development, to waive the sprinkler installation until 2029, the Naperville City Council voted 8-0 last week to enforce the fire code.
City officials said because the site is used as a restaurant, the fire risk is greater and the installation of fire sprinklers should be a priority.
Imburgia said he doesn’t believe the building is large enough to require fire suppression equipment based on measurements taken by Naperville-based Opperman Architects, which found Italian restaurant’s interior space was 2,491 square feet, which is less than the 2,500-square-foot threshold.
Fire officials said their measurements show the space is 2,671 square feet.
If a restroom expansion is completed on the property, the building’s square footage would increase even more, they said.
Imburgia said installation cost was estimated at $237,000, which creates a significant financial burden on him as the property owner.
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In addition, he said, the restaurant will have to close temporarily while the sprinklers are installed, causing harm to the business and its 49 employees.
Imburgia said he plans are to build residences on the property once the lease with Fiamme ends in 2029.
Naperville fire officials said the property already received an 11-year installation extension in 2012. Extending it until 2029 would mean the site delay they received would be 18.5 years and there is no guarantee redevelopment will occur in 2030.
Councilman Paul Hinterlong and fire officials suggested Imburgia obtain more cost estimates.
Ben DeAnda, community risk reduction manager for the Naperville Fire Department, said the $237,000 price Imburgia received seemed rather high.
“That’s an awful lot of money for a small restaurant,” he said.
The biggest cost is getting the water to the building, which can range from about $30,000 to $40,000, DeAnda said.
Additionally, property owners can recoup some of the costs. DeAnda said up to 80% of a sprinkler system expense can be written off on taxes.
New condos coming to Jackson Avenue
Plans to demolish the one-story office and adjacent parking lot at Jackson Avenue and Mill Street to make way for a four-story, six-unit condominium building have been approved by the council.
Riverwalk Place, with balconies overlooking the Riverwalk, will be flanked by businesses on the east and Naperville Park District properties on the north, south and west.
Lee Mandel, who owns the accounting firm office building as well the land on which it sits, plans to live in one of the six units.
Vincent Rosanova, the attorney representing Mandel, said the Riverwalk Place development will provide a good transition between the business focus of the downtown area and the residential neighborhood.
Soap Box Derby dates
Soap box races will be back starting in May.
The council has approved revised dates for the 2023 Soap Box Derby season of May 6-7, June 3 (rain date June 4), Sept. 9-10 and Oct. 7-8.
Organized annually by the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby Association, the races take place from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Frontenac Road from Golfview Drive to Diehl Road.
An estimated 75 people attended them each day they’re offered.
May the Fourth Be with You
Water Street between Webster and Main streets will be closed from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 4 for the Downtown Naperville Alliance’s popular May the Fourth be with You Day.
The free event gives visitors the chance to meet and get photos with Star Wars-dressed characters.
Water Street will close to vehicular traffic at 5 p.m. and reopen about 8:30 p.m. or when the Naperville Police Department determines it can based on public safety.
The alliance received $345 in Special Events and Community Arts funding for the Water Street event.
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