NORMAL - Illinois State University students should have at least two more off-campus apartment options by fall 2009 - with more on the way in 2010.

Twin City developer Ralph Endress is planning a 41-unit complex that will blend an existing apartment building with new buildings along Constitution Trail near Willow and Locust streets by fall 2009.

A rooming house at 101 E. Willow St. and an apartment building at 104 E. Locust St. will be razed and an apartment building at 98 E. Locust St. will be refurbished to make way for a new development called Willow Trails. Endress said the 41 units will be "flats," each with a private entrance.

The development proposal will go before the Normal Planning Commission in September. Endress would need variances for the proposed parking plan.

More apartments also are expected to be up and running by fall 2009 west of the ISU campus.

Ulises Napoles, leasing manager for First Site, said construction will start soon on six more buildings at The Oaks in the 1200 block of Hovey Avenue. The complex currently has 70 townhouses. The new buildings will add 30 four-bedroom units.

Meanwhile, an apartment/retail development at Main and Osage streets that was expected to be ready by fall 2009 could be postponed until 2010 because of costs.

"We're clearly doing everything in our power to keep it on schedule, but (construction) prices are conspiring against us," said Doug Reichl, president of Tartan Realty Group, the company proposing the five-story building that will include up to four first-floor retailers and four floors of two- and three-bedroom apartments. There will be eight apartments to each floor.

Reichl said Meat Heads and Chipotle already have agreed to fill two of the retail spots.

The development will include two parking lots - one with 100 spots for the retailers; and another with 39 spaces for apartment residents. The City Council recently approved parking waivers for the development that falls in a recently approved tax increment financing district.

Tartan Realty will get up to $2.5 million in TIF money for the project that is expected to cost $9.1 million. In a TIF district, property tax revenue given to taxing bodies is frozen for the life of the district, about 23 years. Any increase in property tax revenue is diverted to a fund to help pay redevelopment costs in the district.

Another mixed-use building planned at Fell Avenue and North Street uptown also is eyeing a 2010 opening.

Jill Guth, director of development at JSM Development Inc. of Champaign, said about 100 apartments are expected to be open in spring or early summer of 2010.

The development is planned at the former University Christian Church, 206 North St., with retail buildings at 204 North St. and 107 Broadway. Guth said demolition of the current buildings should begin late this fall or early winter. Construction of the five-story, L-shaped building would begin in spring.

Guth said the company already has had "tremendous interest" from potential retailers and restaurants.