Critic Of Elmhurst Rule Seeks City Money For Facade, Other Upgrades

ELMHURST, IL – A critic of an Elmhurst regulation is seeking $150,000 from the city for improvements to a downtown building.

Spark Scent Collective plans to open at 128 N. Addison Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Dulles Cleaners.

In September, Spark owner Lauren Giacalone applied for the money. She said it would be for structural repairs, facade upgrades and other improvements.

According to the application, the boutique would open by March.

However, Spark's architect, Erica Blawat of Elmhurst, contended on social media that a "rigid" city rule was delaying the building's redesign. The regulation is for exterior building materials.

Giacalone signaled her agreement with the comments.

On Monday night, the City Council's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee plans to review Spark's application. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at City Hall.

The money for Spark would come from a special downtown tax district, known as a TIF.

Under state law, a tax district's assessed value is frozen for 23 years. Any property tax income generated from the district's increasing value is to be used in the district itself, rather than taxing bodies such as schools.

State law allows a tax district's money to be used for such things as utilities, stormwater improvements, parking lots and building renovations.