When fully constructed, planned amenities will include guest rooms at the Marine Hospital, a winery & vineyard, 120 cottages, a cafe, and a main building/event center - surrounded by gardens, orchards, a vineyard, prairies, and woodland areas.

Dave Hooten, his wife Beverly Tomek, his son Austen Hooten and Austen’s wife Jamie are partners in the venture. On a visit to a friend’s vineyard in the Galena area, Dave and Beverly became aware of the Marine Hospital. They purchased the approximately 10-acre site with plans to renovate the hospital as a small inn and add cottages on the property. Prompted by access issues to the Marine Hospital, adjacent available land was purchased, ultimately expanding the project area to about 97 acres and providing the opportunity for additional resort amenities. Bien Vie currently owns and operates three resorts. Go “here” to learn more about Bien Vie and the existing Bien Vie resorts, and “here” for the design team Bien Vie has assembled for The Parker project.

Born into the Wolf Clan of the Seneca Nation, Hasanoanda (who later adopted the name Ely Samuel Parker) was an extraordinary human being whose life bridged two cultures in the most challenging of times. His story is complex and an important part of it is associated with the history of Galena. Parker was the engineer in charge of construction of the Marine Hospital. He became associated with Grant and served as Grant’s Secretary (penning the articles of surrender at Appomattox), and was appointed by Grant as the first Native American to head what is now known as the Bureau of Indian Affairs. An exhibit space is planned in the Marine Hospital to share more information about the Marine Hospital and Ely Parker.

The Parker will be 100% privately funded. Unlike the case for many development projects, the Developer - Bien Vie - is not requesting any money from the City for the project. The Parker will be on city water and sewer and Bien Vie is paying for the design and construction of the water and sewer infrastructure. The infrastructure will then be turned over to the City per Illinois EPA requirements and user fees will be collected by the City from the development to support ongoing maintenance. Once completed, the project is estimated to have a value of $35 million dollars. The City, County, schools, library and all other taxing bodies will derive a significant property tax benefit. Sales tax and hotel/motel tax will also be generated. Additionally, commercial and/or industrial development tends to reduce property taxes for residential properties. A range of employment opportunities will be available.

Parking and traffic flow are among the issues that the community needs to address in order to achieve its growth goals. Bien Vie is sensitive to the concerns. The Parker is a destination resort and for the most part, guests will drive to the resort and park their cars there. They will have the opportunity and will be encouraged to walk or bike the ¾ mile trip into town on the Galena River Trail or use The Parker shuttle service.

The Developer went through the City of Galena zoning process, annexed the property, obtained preliminary approval for the overall design concept and project scope. Two public zoning hearings were held to provide input on the preliminary design of The Parker project: for Preliminary PUD Approval on February 9, 2022, and for Preliminary Plan Amendment Approval on November 9, 2022. In the course of those two meetings, public testimony was heard by the Zoning Board members for over 5 hours (above and beyond the 2-1/2 hours for Bien Vie’s presentations and responses to public comments and questions).

The Comprehensive Plan is a reference and a guide and the basis for the zoning ordinance, which is regulatory. The maps associated with the plan do not show the project area as a designated green space. The Parker is located in the vicinity of and immediately abutting areas that were anticipated and desired for growth in 2007 when “Contiguous Growth Areas” were identified by the City and the County. Under “Growth” the Galena Comprehensive Plan states that “The City of Galena will strive to preserve its small town image by managing physical growth with sound planning and zoning that emphasizes preservation the historic district, in-fill development and the efficient and attractive development of new land. The city will be proactive annexing land to achieve its vision.”

The project received Preliminary Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval with underlying zoning requirements for a Planned Commercial zoning district. Planned Unit Development zoning is used for mixed-use and unique single-use projects where design flexibility is desired and when long-term community benefits can be achieved through high quality planned development. Among its special features, The Parker project provides for the rehabilitation of a significant local landmark (the Marine Hospital), adds to the trail system, demonstrates innovative stormwater infiltration and filtration techniques, and provides amenities in a park-like setting. The Planned Commercial zoning district has a required minimum Landscape Surface Ratio (per the calculation method used by the city) of 25%. For comparison, the Limited Agricultural zoning district has a required minimum Landscape Surface Ratio of 50%. The Parker Landscape Surface Ratio will be a minimum of 84% (similar to the ratio in Galena’s Grant Park). In other words, 84% of the 97 acres will be Landscaped Area.

Design of The Parker is rooted in the characteristics of the land on which it sits and in Galena’s legacy of historic preservation. The project incorporates high standards of sustainability and sensitivity for stormwater management, lighting, historic preservation, energy efficiency, and landscaping. Go “here” to learn more about the project Design.

The Preliminary Plan that was approved by the City described the project in four phases. Which amenities are actually associated with each phase are up to the discretion of the developer, and decisions about the timing of actual construction for components in the approved preliminary plan will be, in part, market driven. However, the developer is committed to rehabilitating the Marine Hospital in the first phase of the project. If fully constructed, planned amenities will include guest rooms at the Marine Hospital, a winery & vineyard, 120 cottages, and a main building/event center - surrounded by garden, orchard, vineyard, prairie and woodland areas. The project does not include a petting zoo, go-cart track or zip line. The Winery, and the Main Building restaurant and gardens and portions of the Marine Hospital will be open to the public. The intent is that the hiking/biking trails will also be open to the public. However, the developer’s right to restrict trail access is reserved in the annexation agreement should the privilege of public access be abused. Go “here” to learn more about The Parker project phasing and amenities.

All project components included in the preliminary PUD plan approval must go through zoning again for final approval to demonstrate conformity with the approved preliminary plan. All necessary design and permitting requirements (including but not limited to: stormwater management design, geotechnical investigations, building permits, Illinois Department of Natural Resources approvals, Army Corps of Engineer permits, and Illinois EPA permits) must be met before construction can begin.

For status, click “here” .