Subsidy Likely For Hinsdale House Known For Vines

HINSDALE, IL – The house known for its vines at Fifth and Washington streets in Hinsdale is in line for a village historic preservation subsidy.

Homeowner Mimi Collins is seeking help for 4 E. Fifth St. A couple of years ago, the village created incentives to preserve older houses, aiming to prevent teardowns.

Collins plans a $176,000 renovation, including a rear addition and exterior improvements. She is asking for a $6,500 subsidy, which would be rebated from the village's part of the property tax bill over five years.

"It's a great little house, but it needed a lot of updating," Collins told the Village Board on Tuesday.

Trustee Alexis Braden credited Collins with saving local houses. One of them, at 420 S. Park Ave., was at risk of being demolished.

"We're so thankful," Braden said.

During a short presentation, Collins mentioned that vines had been removed for masonry repairs.

Trustee Neale Byrnes asked about that.

"You took the vines off? I love the vines," he said.

Collins said she also liked them and that she may bring them back.

"They were covering the windows," she said. "They were pretty overpowering. You couldn't see in or out of the house for a while."

Under the village's incentives, homeowners can propose things such as rear additions while keeping the historic character of their houses.

The board is expected to vote on a subsidy agreement at a later meeting.