Publications & Sites 
Kalo Center gets Park Ridge’s first ‘heritage center’ designation
The Kalo Foundation's work to save artist Alfonso Iannelli's home and studio in Park Ridge earned the city a 2012 Governor's Hometown Award. | Sun-Times Media
Updated: October 7, 2012 6:16AM
PARK RIDGE — The former Park Ridge home and studio of artist Alfonso Iannelli is now officially the city’s very first building to be designated as a “heritage center.”
The Park Ridge City Council on Aug. 20 granted final approval of an ordinance defining a heritage center and approved a special-use allowing Iannelli Studios Heritage Center to legally operate at 255 N. Northwest Highway. A heritage center is defined by the city as a building that has been designated as a local landmark “within which a historically significant era or activity is displayed for public viewing.”
Iannelli Studios is owned by the Kalo Foundation, which hosted several events on the site before receiving the special-use permit from the city.
The approval granted by the City Council comes with a stipulation that Kalo must “publicize the use of non-residential” area parking with on-site signs, in mailings and on the group’s website. This amendment was added following concerns from residents living north of the center that visitors would park on their street, leaving them nowhere to park their own cars because they do not have driveways.
A message on Kalo’s website asks visitors to park in the municipal lot along Northwest Highway or in a parking lot at Elm Street and Northwest Highway belonging to St. Andrews Lutheran Church.
Third Ward Alderman Jim Smith voted against the heritage center definition and allowing the special-use for the Iannelli Studios.
