However, a new concept unveiled by Whiteco and its new architect appeared to impress trustees once critical of the developer's previous $43-million proposal.

Whiteco Residential was selected by village officials after making an unsolicited proposal to build a mixed-use tower on the site, just a few blocks from Metra commuter rail and Chicago Transit Authority Green Line stations. Although a request for proposal was issued following Whiteco Residential's proposal, it drew a limited response. Some officials, including trustee Robert Milstein, suggest the request for proposals should have been issued earlier in the process.

Nonetheless, Milstein indicates the new team is getting off on the right foot. "You've done a real nice job," he told Whiteco president Timothy J. Connelly at a recent meeting on the project. "You've made a significant shift."

However, Milstein is pushing for a financial study that not only includes property and sales tax revenue generated by the development, but the additional cost of village services needed. The site is located in a tax increment financing district, and the village already has offered to include property it has acquired in a redevelopment proposal.