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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
More Ovaltine, please
It appears another local landmark might be headed for demolition. If you travel west of Elmhurst and cross Route 83, Kingery Highway, you will arrive in Villa Park. Villa Park isn't really known for much. Mainly, it's the town between Elmhurst and Lombard. It does have one distinct landmark, the old Ovaltine factory smokestack.
If travel on Route 83 or St. Charles Road, you can't miss the brick smokestack that stands on the site of the old Ovaltine factory. The factory ceased operations back in the mid-1980s, but around the turn of the century, this property was converted into trendy apartments. Honestly, the complex looks great. The smokestack remained a focal point situated centrally within the parking lot.
The Daily Herald recently reported that pieces of the structure have crumbled and fallen into the parking lot and become a safety hazard. The property owners, Lincoln Properties, are willing to pay for the demolition, but refuse to pay for maintenance in order to save the smokestack. The Village Board recently estimated the cost of maintenance around $225,000 to $345,000 for repairs to last approximately 10 to 15 years. The Villa Park is slated to make a decision regarding the structure's future at the end of the month. We'll see if it's saved or goes the way of Berwyn's Spindle.
More Ovaltine, please
It appears another local landmark might be headed for demolition. If you travel west of Elmhurst and cross Route 83, Kingery Highway, you will arrive in Villa Park. Villa Park isn't really known for much. Mainly, it's the town between Elmhurst and Lombard. It does have one distinct landmark, the old Ovaltine factory smokestack.
If travel on Route 83 or St. Charles Road, you can't miss the brick smokestack that stands on the site of the old Ovaltine factory. The factory ceased operations back in the mid-1980s, but around the turn of the century, this property was converted into trendy apartments. Honestly, the complex looks great. The smokestack remained a focal point situated centrally within the parking lot.
The Daily Herald recently reported that pieces of the structure have crumbled and fallen into the parking lot and become a safety hazard. The property owners, Lincoln Properties, are willing to pay for the demolition, but refuse to pay for maintenance in order to save the smokestack. The Village Board recently estimated the cost of maintenance around $225,000 to $345,000 for repairs to last approximately 10 to 15 years. The Villa Park is slated to make a decision regarding the structure's future at the end of the month. We'll see if it's saved or goes the way of Berwyn's Spindle.
6 Comments
Biker Ben Wednesday, June 18, 2008
LGrant Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Bill Thursday, June 19, 2008
Moobi Thursday, June 19, 2008
Angi Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sarah S. Thursday, June 19, 2008
1) I like the smoke stack is the color of ovaltine.
Biker Ben Wednesday, June 18, 20082) I can't believe they didn't create Ovaltine, IL and make a theme park there and sell merchandise like t-shirts and hats and such with Ovaltine on them...wait...has some other company done that??
LGrant Wednesday, June 18, 20083) I'm sure the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce just might consider that option.
Bill Thursday, June 19, 20084) I know I'm not the only one whose first thought upon reading or hearing the word "Ovaltine" is Ralphie and his Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring. "Don't...forget...to drink...your...Ovaltine. Ovaltine? A crummy commercial?!"
Moobi Thursday, June 19, 20085) We were forced to drink Ovaltine in the 70s by our grandmother. It was nasty.
Angi Thursday, June 19, 20086) Moobi, that's always the first thing I think of when I hear Ovaltine. That movie is one of my favorites.
Sarah S. Thursday, June 19, 2008Leave a Comment
