Warrenville selects developer for Old Town redevelopment; mayor outlines other Route 59 sites

The City of Warrenville has selected Denver Properties to develop the long‑vacant Old Town Redevelopment (OTRS) corner at Batavia Road and Warrenville Road, Mayor Andrew Johnson said during his State of the City address. The project envisions ground‑floor businesses with apartments above and is expected to begin site work within the next year to two years as staff coordinates entitlements with the developer.

Johnson described the OTRS parcel as city‑owned, previously cleaned up of underground storage tanks, and positioned as an anchor for further downtown redevelopment. "The city council selected a developer, Denver Properties, to develop this," he said, adding the firm has worked on similar mixed‑use properties.

In the audience Q&A, the mayor addressed other Route 59 properties. He said the Speedway station on Route 59 has closed; the city has revoked special permits, pumps and tanks have been removed and the canopy is expected to be taken down. Johnson said any new buyer or investor will need to submit applications and go through the planning process before re‑establishing a fuel station or other use.

On the Batavia and Butterfield corner, Johnson said a previously proposed gas station and convenience store was rejected by the planning commission, and any future use remains in the hands of the private owner. He also confirmed that the '2 Brothers' mixed use proposal recently received a courtesy review and will return to the formal planning process after refinements.

The mayor emphasized that private ownership limits what the city can compel and encouraged interested businesses to contact community development staff to explore opportunities.