Olympia Fields considers condos, townhouses near train station

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Updated: February 26, 2012 8:13AM

Olympia Fields may look to townhomes and condominiums along 203rd Street to revitalize that area of the village.

A new long-range plan proposes 80 condominiums and 42 townhomes for the street next to the train station, with an underpass that puts the entire area within walking distance of the Olympia Fields Country Club.

“This might be a real unique synergy to participate with the country club to try to provide both luxury condominiums and townhomes, short-term stay and long-term stay, for events going on at the country club,” village administrator David Mekarski said at Monday’s village board meeting.

The country club only offers about 20 rooms for guests, he said. And the nearest subdivision, the Colony, offers only about 30 or so single-family homes, he said.

“While the market is a bit soft for some of these products, they may not be soft for the membership of the country club to participate in partnership with the village,” he said.

“For instance, our condominiums could go on the general market, but you could reserve one or two for executive suites for short-term or time-share usage,” he said.

A destination restaurant could round out the site, and the condos and townhomes could provide short-term lodging to a celebrity chef, he said.

Village Trustee Susan Ormsby said she has been talking about Olympia Fields’ need for condominiums for years.

“This village doesn’t have high-end townhomes or condominiums,” she said. “And we do have the Metra line.”

The space on 203rd Street, which is owned both by the village and privately, is the key spot, she said.

Trustee Bob Waite said members of the country club who live downtown might also be interested in purchasing condos within walking distance of both the train and the club.