ALEDO, Illinois – The ambitious Northside Lofts project is moving forward as Growth General Contracting seeks qualified subcontractors to help redevelop the historic old Aledo junior and senior high school in the heart of the city’s downtown.
A series of Bidders’ Meetings will be held at 205 N. College Ave. starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in anticipation of a Friday, Nov. 7, deadline for submission of qualifications to GGC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) in Rock Island.
Those meetings are aimed at finding subcontractors who can help transform the former school into 30 rental housing units in an overall project that combines the preservation of historic architecture with new construction.
The bids from qualified contractors will be awarded in January. Construction is expected to take place throughout 2026 and completion and move-in is expected in 2027, GROWTH told the QCBJ today, Oct. 14.
The subs that the general contractor is seeking for the long-awaited live-work development include: full mechanical, electrical, and plumbing replacement, demolition of non-historic structures, and construction of a new wing. Trades needed include: electrical, painting, plumbing, HVAC, site work, paving, carpentry, and related services.
How to apply
- Proposal deadline: 3 p.m. Nov. 7.
- Bidders’ Meetings: 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. on the following Thursdays – Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30 – at 205 N. College Ave.
- Question submission deadline: Noon, Monday, Nov. 3. They must be submitted in writing to: Andrew Fisher, Growth General Contracting, LLC, 100 19th St., Suite 109, Rock Island, IL 61201. Phone: 309-788-6311, Email: [email protected]
Project drawings and specifications are available at: www.EconomicGrowthCorporation.com and www.Northside-Lofts.com
About Northside Lofts
The redevelopment merges historic preservation, adaptive-reuse, and new construction within the former school. It will feature:
- 24 apartments in the existing structure.
- Six apartments in the soon-to-be constructed new wing.
- Studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments.
- “Green” building practices for energy efficiency.
- Exterior amenities for residents.
- The historic gymnasium will be transformed into a multi-use center filled with innovative amenities to foster a sense of community among residents.
- A Property Management Office.
Amenities offered will include co-work spaces, indoor fitness area and a Bike Share Program. It also will feature a dedicated bike storage, Game Lounge for traditional board games, free financial literacy, goal setting by a HUD approved housing counselor.
Outdoor amenities will include:
- Playground area.
- Basketball / pickleball court.
- Community garden.
- Bike rack.
Seven years in making
Growth Contracting’s current request for subcontractor qualifications comes four months after the Illinois Housing Development Authority approved GROWTH’S fourth request for nearly $2.5 million in funding in June. But Aledo community involvement began well before that, including community meetings conducted by GROWTH in 2022 to talk about a better use for the property. The school was built in 1922 and has remained vacant since 2003.
As early as 2018, however, Aledo Mayor Chris Hagloch and the Aledo City Council had targeted the former school building for redevelopment. It gained momentum when W.J. Albertson, the former Aledo resident and frequent Aledo visitor and leader, who owns a number of historic downtown buildings, purchased it from the prior owner.
He reached out to GROWTH about creating housing at the former junior high for people who live and work near Aledo and the development organization has taken the lead along with its subsidiary GGC.
Over the years, GGC has continued to expand its capabilities and expertise and has a successful track record, including the adaptive reuse of a historic property into eight units of multi-family housing, the rehabilitation of 18 units of multi-family housing, and the new construction of seven units. All reflects the contractors’ dedication to sustainable growth and creating valuable spaces for individuals and families to call home.
The project is a historic, adaptive reuse project subject to oversight by the National Park Service and the Illinois Department of Historic Preservation. Work must comply with approved historic rehabilitation plans and preservation standards. It also is subject to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA). All materials used must meet domestic sourcing requirements.
