302 N. River Lane. Photo courtesy of City of Geneva.
A developer has proposed to raze an entire block of the Geneva Historic District and build new apartments and townhomes (see photo above). The block, bounded by North River Lane, Ford Street, North First Street and Stevens Street, currently includes:
1948 two-story brick office and factory building of the former Geneva Bottling Works
Storage buildings of Geneva Bottling Works of varying ages
Three homes built by William Burnham between 1855-1857
A home built in the 1920s
Historic railroad spur
On August 16, 2022, the Geneva Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approved the demolition of three buildings of the former Geneva Bottling Works on this block that were unsalvageable. The McConnaughay family, who owned the bottling company, owns the entire block that is proposed for redevelopment.
If the proposal is approved, this block, which is at the northeast corner of the Geneva Historic District, will be removed from the historic district.
The historic value of the structures on this block is unclear. The 1948 brick Geneva Bottling Works building is not architecturally significant, but there could be a case made that the bottling company is. According to a historical assessment done by HPC, the company was started by Louis Boggiano in 1923 at 401 N. First Street (razed in 2015). The company bottled spring, seltzer, mineral, and distilled water from a natural spring located under the bottling company, as well as soda, and “near beer,” before bottling beer brands such as Blatz, Budweiser, and Heineken after prohibition. The Geneva Bottling Works operated until 2007.
The homes on the block along N. First Street, while from the 1850s and 1920s, have been significantly altered over time and may not have enough integrity to be considered historic. The railroad spur between the houses and the bottling company is one of the very few remaining in Geneva. Spurs were essential for manufacturing companies to get their products onto trains and transported to customers and at one time were found throughout Geneva.
Of greatest concern is shrinking the historic district. The cultural and economic value of the historic district is significant to the sense of place and quality of life in Geneva. Architecture, mass, and scale of new construction can blend with nearby historic structures, and a sense of the historic landscape—such as the location of the railroad spur—can be retained.
Process
1. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
The proposal will be presented to the HPC at a date yet to be determined (possibly as early as Tuesday, December 19, 2023). The HPC will review the proposal and give a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission as to whether the standards for demolition of properties in a historic district have been met and what impact the proposed new construction may have on the rest of the historic district. Generally, the standards for demolition are that rehabilitation of the buildings is financially infeasible or that the new construction will be of greater benefit to the city than rehabilitation. During deliberations at HPC, the public will not have an opportunity to weigh in but may speak at the end of the meeting during the public comment period.
2. Public Hearing at Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC)
After a recommendation is made by HPC, the proposal will be presented at the Planning and Zoning Commission (possibly as early as Thursday, January 11, 2024). At PZC, there will be a public hearing whereby members of the public and other interested parties may speak about the proposal. If PZC approves the proposal, it would next move on to final approval by the City Council. However, in our experience, there are often recommended changes to the proposal the developer usually considers and resubmits to PZC. In other words, the process is likely to take many months.
What can I do?
Stay informed! Make sure you subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook.
Consider emailing a letter to HPC, PZC, or your alderperson regarding your view on this proposal.
Attend HPC, PZC, and City Council meetings.
Speak at the public hearing at PZC.
For additional details on the proposal visit: 302 River PUD.
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