ROCKFORD — One of the last undeveloped plots along East State Street could become more than 300 apartments and commercial space for retail and restaurants.
University Hill is planned for land just east of the Puri School of Business near the Rockford University campus. It would have up to 350 apartments with one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom options.
The project is being put forward by local businessman Kevin Olson, who is working with design and planning firm Place Foundry on the vision for the site. Olson, who bought the land about two years ago, initially hung a banner announcing it as the future home of the fourth area 24/7 Laundromat, which he runs with his wife, Cindy Le-Olson. Now, that’s one of the commercial uses that will be part of the development closest to East State Street, with the apartment complex tucked behind the commercial component…