ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Plans for a large housing and retail development along East State Street are moving forward, proposing roughly 350 new residential units next to Rockford University as the city looks to address housing demand.
The project, known as the “University Hill” development, was presented to the Rockford Zoning Board of Appeals as a request for a special use permit to create a Planned Unit Development on a vacant parcel in the 5300 block of East State Street
According to city planning documents, the proposal includes about 350 apartment-style residential units, lower-level parking, a central courtyard with recreational amenities, and three standalone commercial buildings along E. State Street.
The development would sit directly adjacent to Rockford University, with academic buildings to the north and west and existing commercial properties along the corridor…