Economic Development & Neighborhood Renewal

COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL MEETING MINUTES June 25, 2015 Persons in attendance: Executive Committee: Charles Ostman – Executive Director Ross Klicker – Associate Executive Director Cathy Spadoni – Secretary Village Manager Steve Vinezeano Joe Bialko Mike Shields Alan Zielinski Mayor Andrew Przybylo – Ex-Officio Stakeholders: Jacob Ehrensaft Iwona Filipiak Julie Genualdi Steve Greif Michael Kim Rich Mangold Joe Marcheschi Denise McCreery Katie Schneider Lynda Stoops Rich Wlodarski Guests: Jason Trunco Persons absent: Executive Committee: Trustee Joe LoVerde – Ex-Officio Stakeholders: Stephen Costa Alberto DeCicco Carol Harczak Sunghae Kim Paul Kolpak Brandon Leavitt Judy McNulty Barry Mueller Anthony Ori Vicki Peake Thomas Poszdol John Thomas I. Call to Order Ross Klicker called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Village of Niles Administration Building.  Economic Development/Neighborhood Renewal June 25, 2015 II. Approval of Minutes Alan Zielinski made a motion, seconded by Mike Shields, to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2015 meeting. On voice vote, all concurred. ***** Ross Klicker encouraged having a block party, as part of the neighborhood initiative, and discussed the equipment available – party tents, Tiki torches, a charcoal grill, and tables and chairs. III. Discussion of Neighborhood Map and Next Steps Mr. Klicker distributed copies of the neighborhood map. Suggested changes to the names of the neighborhoods are: Greenwood Estates should be Ransom Ridge; Kathleen should be Emerson Place; Bunker Hill Club should be Bunker Hill Estates; Lawrence Gardens should be Lawrencewood Gardens; Miami Park should be combined with Lawrencewood Gardens. All present were in favor of these changes and, by a show of hands, voted unanimously to approve this amended map as the official neighborhood map of the Village of Niles. Mr. Klicker asked what can be done to help promote the neighborhoods. Ideas included:  a neighborhood basketball league organized either through the Park District or the Fitness Center  neighborhood competitions, such as water barrel wars in the park on the 4th of July, parade floats, front yard-of- the-month, birdhouse building  neighborhood gardens  street signs with the neighborhood name under the street name  gateway signs at major intersections  neighborhood garage sales (The Village is in the process of implementing a program for garage sales whereby the Village would charge $5 for a permit and provide two, identical garage sale signs. The garage sale would be listed on Google map, which would help people find the sale and would also drive people into Niles to ultimately shop and dine here.)  neighborhood associations  neighborhood bus tours – a one-time, Saturday “Know Your Neighborhood” tour, providing a history of the area, perhaps partnering with the Historical Society  “Friday Flamingo” social hours It was also suggested that neighborhoods could be united by sharing information via free e- newsletter apps such as “Every Block,” “Next Door Neighbor.com” or “Nextdoor Niles,” a free, “private social network for your neighborhood.” It was noted that we should be sensitive to those who are not tech-savvy. Our Village newsletter, Focus on Niles, could include a page or a column about the goings-on in the neighborhoods. 2  Economic Development/Neighborhood Renewal June 25, 2015 Mr. Klicker presented the following plan for the neighborhood map:  Present it to the Village Trustees at the next Board meeting.  Publish it on the website and in the next (September) Focus on Niles newsletter.  Display it at Grennan Heights Park immediately following the parade on July 4.  Invite residents to a public meeting to gather feedback on the neighborhood names (and also to see if anyone would be interested in being a neighborhood captain or take the lead on one of the initiatives.)  Finalize and publish the map as the official neighborhood map of the Village of Niles. IV. Community & Wayfinding Signage Design RFP Discussion Mr. Klicker explained the RFP (Request for Proposals) for the Comprehensive Entrance and Roadway Signage Plan. The RFP objectives include evaluation of signage needs and design development, and the preparation of design standards for all signs. The scope of services includes not only the residential areas but the business district and industrial areas as well. The responses to the RFP will likely come from not just sign companies but from planning firms and marketing firms. Sometimes these firms will partner to get a broad spectrum of design and concept. The process involves more than just picking a sign design out of a catalog; the signage needs to “be Niles.” We need to make sure that any new signage is complementary to our new logo and tagline. Mr. Klicker displayed photos of gateway, monument and welcome signs from other communities. It was noted that the underpass at Milwaukee and Dempster is a great location for signage because thousands of cars pass through there every day. This is an opportunity to let the drivers know they’re in Niles. This will be added to the RFP. It was suggested that we maintain continuity between our main entrances and the neighborhood signs, and not have a conglomeration of styles and designs. Mr. Klicker stated that he would like to form a subcommittee of the EDNR to review the responses to the RFP along with staff. Anyone interested in serving on the subcommittee should let Cathy Spadoni know. We will issue the RFP. Once the responses come in, we will distribute copies to the subcommittee members. V. Open Discussion  The Touhy Avenue Arts and Culture TIF plans are moving forward. There have been discussions with major developers who envision a banquet hall/convention center attached to a hotel.  The Village of Niles, with the Niles Park District, is planning to purchase the bank building at Church and Greenwood. The plan is to demolish the building and expand and beautify the area in order to alleviate flooding and, at the same time, create an outdoor, upscale marketplace that will drive traffic into Niles. Mr. Klicker stated that he has 3  Economic Development/Neighborhood Renewal June 25, 2015 received a proposal from Ed Uhlir, a nationally prominent architect of parks and public spaces, and his partner John Nelson, to work with us to design a unique public space that will not only provide a gathering space and flood detention, but will create a unique, 365 day-a-year benefit to the community.  The organizers of the Maria SS Laurentan Society Italian Fest are making a major commitment to move from Berwyn/Cicero to Niles. The fest will be held on the Labor Day weekend at Golf Mill Park on Church and Cumberland.  It was suggested that this Commission, because it is made up of people who are representative of Niles, meet once a month to exchange creative, out-of-the-box ideas and discuss current issues to help move the Village forward.  The gas station at Milwaukee and Main is in the process of getting permits to install new gas pumps and open a convenience store. The station will no longer be a service station.  There are many trucks looking at sewers in the Main and Merrill area. Staff will advise the Commission of the reason.  Construction of the new, 100-room Holiday Inn Express at Waukegan and Milwaukee will begin very soon. It is scheduled to open in May of 2016.  Costco gas pumps have been very successful. As a result, sales at the warehouse have gone up 35%. Costco is looking to expand the existing building by 15,000 square feet on the north end of the building.  The site of the former Days Inn on Touhy has been approved for a new medical facility – North Shore Medical.  Staff is reviewing plans for a new Panera Bread at Golf Mill Mall as an out lot building with a drive-thru. The Paneras at Four Flags and on Dempster will likely close.  The Best Buy at Golf and Greenwood has closed. When the lease came up for renewal, corporate decided not to renew because they have ten other stores in the area, sales were diminished at this location and the building has structural problems. Staff is in discussion with several retailers who are interested in the location. The owner of the building is responsible for the structural problems.  The shell of the FedEx building has been completed, and the conveyor system is being installed. It will be another 12 months before the facility begins operations.  Those working on the Touhy Corridor are aware that traffic on Touhy is a problem. At this point, IDOT does not have any plans for Touhy. One of the major goals of the Gross Point/ Touhy TIF District is to address the traffic situation. In the meantime, we’re looking at temporary (5-year) solutions. The traffic engineer working on the Village’s master plan for the area will be looking for solutions along Melvina. Staff met with the Chicago 41st Ward alderman who is willing to work with us on streetscape and traffic improvements along Touhy with CDOT and IDOT, if possible. This includes improving pedestrian access at Touhy and Caldwell.  Businesses are seeing the benefits of the streetscape improvements on Milwaukee Avenue north of Oakton. Progress in ongoing; work is expected to be completed by the end of August. Staff continues to work with property owners regarding façade improvements and to encourage more attractive, uniform signage.  In an effort to make vacant properties more attractive and convey a unified message, the Village has implemented a policy whereby a property owner partners with the Village and contributes $150 toward signage that will cover the windows of their vacant store. 4  Economic Development/Neighborhood Renewal June 25, 2015 VI. Agenda Items for Next Meeting  Job creation opportunities  Greater opportunity for free exchange of ideas  Discussion regarding how to incorporate the business community into the neighborhood plan VII. Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be held in late July or early August. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, Alan Zielinski made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mike Shields. On voice vote, all concurred. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 2015-2016 Ad Hoc Commission for Economic Development & Neighborhood Renewal Executive Committee Members Administrative Officers Members Charles Ostman – Executive Director Steven Vinezeano – Village Manager Ross Klicker – Assoc Executive Director Joe Bialko – resident Cathy Spadoni – Secretary Mike Shields – resident Alan Zielinski - resident Ex Officio Members Mayor Andrew Przybylo Trustee Joe LoVerde 5