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AURORA, IL-Geneva-based developer Sho-Deen Inc. has nearly doubled the scope of its proposed development, to be called East Bank in downtown Aurora. The proposed development now spans 34 acres and includes plans for between 900 and 2,000 new residences, a hotel and up to 225,000 sf of retail and commercial space. The total value of the development will possibly be more than $600 million, company president David Patzelt tells GlobeSt.com.

The proposed development site is bordered by the Fox River to the west, East Benton Street to the north, South Broadway to the east and North Avenue to the south. Last year, plans were presented for more than 1,000 residential units, a hotel and up to 125,000 sf of commercial and retail space on a 27-acre site. The previous value of the project was more than $200 million. Sho-Deen signed a contract six to eight months ago for the additional 7 acres, Patzelt says.

Sho-Deen was attracted to the site because of the "wonderful transportation opportunities" such as the Metra train, PACE and state highways that connect to I-88, that the site was along the Fox River, and the proximity to entertainment such as the Riverboat and the Paramount Theater. Additionally, Sho-Deen was attracted to the site because of Aurora's desire to redevelop the downtown area. "We had observed and noticed that Aurora was interested in a big revitalization program of their downtown and were putting incentives out there, such as TIF's, to induce redevelopment activities," Patzelt says.