Normal to select finalists for key uptown site

Town officials are reviewing 10 applications for development for the former One Main site in Uptown Normal. (Photo By Stephanie Pawlowski/WJBC)

NORMAL – The former One Main site in Uptown Normal may be getting a developer in the next few months.

City Manager Mark Peterson said the Normal Town Council plans to invite three or four finalists to a work session at the end of the month to discuss their proposals.

“We’ll invite them to actually make a fifteen to twenty minute presentation to the council members, not only on their experience and background, but on what they envision on that site,” he said.

Peterson said a developer could be picked soon after the finalists’ presentations.

Town officials are trying to narrow down 10 proposals. Peterson said the majority have been for mixed-use developments, which which would include businesses on the first floor and residences above. Officials have also gotten proposals for luxury apartments, offices and even hotels with a retail component.

A key for the council is a developer with good financing plans.

“Some hopefully are prepared to actually share with us their likely lender and we can have conversations with them about the likelihood of getting financing approved,” Peterson said.

One Main was going to be a mixed-use development with apartments and stores, but the developer had problems getting and keeping financing.

Peterson said after the council chooses a developer, it could take two to four months to figure out the details of the new construction.

Proposals were due Dec. 2.

Stephanie Pawlowski contributed to this report.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.