City Council again delays vote on duplex, quadplex development in east Rockford

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our free e-newsletter

ROCKFORD — City Council members on Monday again delayed a decision on a duplex and fourplex development that would bring 180 new living units to the city’s east side.

The development, being done in partnership with NBA star Fred VanVleet and real estate investor Luke Salamone, would happen in phases with the first six duplexes expected to be built this year.

However, aldermen voted 10-4 to push the vote back for two weeks.

The proposal initially went before the City Council on July 7, but aldermen delayed it to encourage more negotiations between labor unions and the developer. Salamone said he met with local labor leaders and supports the unions, but that it wasn’t financially feasible to have all the work done by unions.

“While we support unions and understand their central role in our economy, we believe that any delays in our development do not serve the best interests of our community,” he said in a public statement to the council during the meeting. “The longer we wait, the more we miss out on the benefits that this project will yield for our citizens and local economy.”

Labor representatives weren’t immediately available by phone Monday.

The plan calls for 34 single-story duplexes totaling 68 units, 30 two-story duplexes with 60 units and 13 four-unit buildings with 52 units along Fincham Drive, White Chapel Lane, Mill Road and Highgrove Place.

That would create a combined total of 180 units on empty land near Gustafson’s Furniture, Beef-a-Roo, Weiss Morris Plaza and Perryville Crossings.

The duplexes and quadplexes would be rented at competitive market rates. Salamone said base rent will be roughly $1,200 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom duplex with a two-car garage. Those living spaces would have high-end finishes including quartz countertops and tile-finished bathrooms. They’ll have central air, in-unit appliances such as washer-dryer and a yard. Some of the units have a synthetic stucco exterior called EIFS, or exterior insulation and finish system.

“They’re going to rent all day for that compared to market and what else is out there for $1,200,” Salamone told the Rock River Current. “We’re very confident that the product that we’re going to put out is going to be able to be unmatched.”

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom units will have rents at roughly $2,000 per month.

The development would help the city address a shortage in available housing that has contributed to a spike in home and rent prices.

“There are a lot of articles that state how it’s the hottest housing market in the nation, but with it being the hottest housing market in the nation comes with a very difficult place for people to try to find housing – whether that’s to buy or to rent,” Salamone said. “No availability makes it tougher on everybody. The sharp increase in prices over the last couple of years makes it very difficult.”

Aldermen made the decision to delay Monday without additional discussion.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas