Residents who oppose the widening of Lake Avenue jammed last week’s meeting of the Glenview Village Board to argue that making lanes 12 feet wide instead of the current 10.5 feet could be counterproductive, and that turn lanes at Harms, Wagner and Sunset Ridge are not necessary.

Village President Larry Carlson told the crowd that the county’s plan for a new Lake Avenue would not mean the addition of any through lanes and would not increase noise. He invited public comment but insisted speakers limit remarks to three minutes.

The leader of Citizens Against Widening Lake (CAWL), Marilyn Sweeney, had not been warned of the time limit and sent a lengthy letter to be read. When the designated reader was informed that her time was up, sparks flew. Dottie Castle begged for more time. Carlson refused. "We’ve gotten letters from Marilyn, we’ve read them all, and we have that information," he said.

"Well, the audience doesn’t have it," said Castle. The crowd cheered her determination.

"Excuse me," said Carlson. "This is a business meeting. We want to hear what people have to say. If someone else would like to give up what they’re going to say and continue reading that letter, I don’t think we’d have any objection, although I would rather hear what they had to say."

"Let the woman speak!" shouted someone from the audience. "No," said Carlson. "I’m sorry, but to get everyone on we’re going to have the three-minute limit."

The ensuing debate centered on county claims that making Lake Avenue wider would make it safer. Residents cited studies showing widening of lanes did not decrease accident rates and might prompt drivers to go faster. That would make it even more difficult for residents to get out of their driveways and increase the odds for serious accidents. In her letter, Sweeney also suggested that the wider road would be more appealing to trucks.

Glenview Plan Commissioner Jim Patterson expressed a fear that widening Lake would take pressure off the state to widen Willow Road. He said the improvements might also invite more people to use Lake, cutting through from Willow on Wagner or Sunset Ridge to avoid back-ups caused by the narrowing of Willow in Northfield.

Joe Williams agreed. "Like water, traffic finds its level. It takes the path of least resistance until it’s filled up, and that’s what’s going to happen here. Traffic will be diverted away from Willow."

A majority of speakers urged Glenview to press for retention of the 10.5-foot lanes, better coordination of traffic lights and the addition of turn arrows rather than lanes, but a few people disagreed. Among them, Marilyn Woodrow. "Lack of your support will not return Lake to a quiet country lane," she said. "If you vote to stop this plan, the hazards are likely to get worse. Lake Avenue is unlikely to become a road less traveled, however it can become safer."

"Lake Avenue stinks," said Don Olson, a regular commuter on the four-lane road. "I have personally been hit once. A member of my staff has had a terrible accident while trying to make a left turn. It’s silly to think a 1958 road can serve the traffic needs that are currently here."

When the debate ended, Trustee John Crawford proposed that Glenview ask the county board to seek a waiver from the state requirement that newly-built lanes be 12 feet wide. The audience erupted with loud applause and someone in the crowd shouted, "Crawford for president!" but no other member of the board would second the motion. Trustee Mike Guinane agreed that 10.5-foot lanes would suffice but thought left turn lanes were needed.

A member of the public attempted to argue the point about turn lanes. Several in the crowd said lights with turn arrows had been used successfully on Lake Avenue in Wilmette, but Larry Carlson would not let them speak.

Crawford then revised his motion to oppose only the 12-foot lanes. It won the support of all but Trustees Jeff Lerner and Mary Beth Denefe, prompting another round of more modest applause from the public. As the noisy crowd filed out, President Carlson called for a recess of the meeting, but when the trustees returned to an empty board room, the subject of Lake Avenue was also back.

During the break, Trustees Lerner and Denefe had warned Crawford that his motion might cause the county to withdraw support for any improvements to Lake Avenue. Crawford doubted that but agreed to amend his motion: "If the Illinois Department of Transportation denies such a request for a waiver, or if the county board determines that it will not request a waiver," says the amendment, "the Village of Glenview is in favor of proceeding with the joint County/Village improvements as proposed by Cook County." Translation: "Do whatever you want. Community reaction: We were duped.

Crawford now says it’s up to the citizens to lobby the county and state for help in assuring that a waiver to the 12-foot lane requirement is approved. Toward that end, CAWL is urging residents to be at the Wilmette Village Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 when county officials will discuss plans for the new road. Sweeney also wants opponents of widening and turn lanes to write to Cook County Commissioners Cal Sutker, Gregg Goslin and President John Stroeger, who is up for re-election this fall.

Dene Oliver was back before the Glenview Village Board Tuesday, making his case for a letter of credit to help secure more loans for the mixed use retail center at The Glen. The San Diego-based developer said his lender is withholding $8 million because 35 percent of the new shopping center has not yet been leased.

If he were to default on the loan secured with the help of a letter of credit, Glenview would be liable for repayment, but Oliver argued that a default was unlikely and the letter would be secured by a deed of trust on the shopping center in which Oliver/McMillan will have invested $5 million. Oliver outlined other arrangements that might work in Glenview’s favor and concluded,"If everything blew up and your letter of credit were called, your true net additional dollars is $2.5 million."

He then warned that losses to the village would be far greater if the MURC deal did not go through. Oliver said agreements must be signed in the next few weeks so construction could begin on the new Von Maur store. If work does not start, Von Maur could not be ready to open in September 2003, and the delay might cause other tenants to walk. "Even if I could hold this project together for another six months, the winterization and the regular contract bumps in price for union labor would cost nearly $2.5 million in increased costs for the project," he concluded.

Oliver told the board he had "great news. This has not been publicly announced, but as of today we are in the third draft of a lease with Galyan’s. Galyan’s is going to be coming to Glenview! Galyan’s is going to be an 80,000-square-foot tenant at Glenview, and they will be in the historic hangar."

Galyan’s is a large sporting goods retailer specializing in outdoor wear and equipment. It has 28 stores nationwide and 35 more planned for 2002. Already, the chain operates in Niles and Schaumburg. See www.galyans.com

Oliver added that Border’s Books had signed a letter of intent to locate here, and Crown Theaters would operate a 10-screen theater. "We’re going to start out in the astonishing post-9 /11 position of having 310,000-square feet of that space pre-leased. Frankly, that’s remarkable. We have an amazing cast of anchor tenants in place."

Oliver said it had been forced to give Galyan’s a terrific price for space. "Our pro forma has been brutalized from an income standpoint by virtue of doing the Galyan’s deal. Our income in the hangar is down substantially. The only reason that I wasn’t back to you to tell you that I needed more TIF [tax dollars] was because we were successfully able to take advantage of a descending construction market and get more advantageous pricing."

The developer said an agreement was close with the State Historic Preservation Office. "We are inches from sign off by SHPO. They are very, very pleased by the work we have done together," he told the trustees. "I’m ready to go. I need your help. I can’t wait," he concluded.

During a question and answer period, Trustee Mike Guinane asked why the banks were reluctant to lend Oliver the money without a letter of credit. Oliver blamed 9/11. "It’s a miracle that we’re sitting here tonight. It was only a few months ago that we were scratching our heads and saying, ‘How the heck are we going to keep this project alive?’"

Guinane then questioned the degree of financial risk that Oliver faced. "I look at the minimal investment that you have made and the major investment that this village has come up with – $77 million in cash incentives."

"Mike, where are we going with this?" said Larry Carlson.

"The point I’m trying to get across is that this is supposed to be an equal partnership, and here we have this developer who doesn’t have the level of investment that the people of this community have. I look at the potential rate of return for you as an investor possibly selling off the shopping center to a real estate investment trust and then possibly selling off the 183 apartments [to be built above the stores] to some condo developer," said Guinane.

Oliver claimed he would hold the property long term and defended his investment. "You may think that it’s de minimus, but I feel that a $5 million investment in a project – much of which was done before I even had a contract signed with you is a lot of money, and it’s been very risky investment. Post 9/11, many developers pulled out of their projects all together. We didn’t do that. I feel it’s a bit diminishing on your part to make that comment, but of course you’re entitled to your opinion." Guinane said he was only looking out for the interests of the taxpayers.

Trustee Jeff Lerner repeated Oliver’s contention that we must act quickly to keep Von Maur on schedule or risk the entire project. "The letter of credit is, in essence, to fill the gap? That buys you the time to get Von Maur started and keep the project going," said Lerner. Oliver agreed, adding that without a letter of credit from the village, "We as a partnership will have zero credibility, and our willingness to continue month after month after month after four years of spending money on this will be down the drain."

Trustee Donna Pappo questioned the public investment for Von Maur. Already, she said, the village had contributed $10 million to that effort. Oliver said he wasn’t asking for more money for Von Maur. "I still don’t understand why the $8 million is so critical," said Pappo.

"I’m about exhausted,"Oliver replied. "I think I’ve done as good a job explaining it as I can, Trustee Pappo. The bottom line is without the letter of credit, we are not going to get the financing."

Later, Oliver seemed to recover his strength. Trustee Rachel Cook lobbed a series of softball questions, allowing him to again make his case. "I promise, this is the last one," Cook said. "I’ll stay here as long as you [want]. You’re asking good questions," said Oliver.

Crawford said he had spoken to a relative – "a successful commercial banker who said the second mortgage is almost no security at all, and his bank wouldn’t make a loan like this. They would at least demand a personal guarantee."

"Would you be willing to personally guarantee the $8 million letter of credit?" asked Guinane.

"No," said Oliver. "We do not personally guarantee anything. That isn’t how our financings are done. We have bled as much as we’re going to bleed on this. There just is not room for more negotiation."

Editor’s note: Industry sources tell the Watch that developers guarantee things all the time, and that Oliver’s claim to have taken so much risk and made such a great initial sacrifice ought to be taken with a large grain of salt. "That’s what developers do," said one. "They get huge returns for taking big risks."

Trustee Lerner said he understood "the need for all the questions, but to me the real logic of this is if we don’t provide this gap financing, there is no MURC. We made the decision [to have a shopping center] a long time ago." Trustee Mary Beth Denefe, who had been silent through the debate, pointed out that Von Maur had pulled out of a deal in Orland Park. "Yes," said Oliver, "and the project is still struggling."

Denefe then moved to approve the letter of credit. Lerner offered a second while Crawford and Cook joined to assure that Oliver would get the loan he needs to proceed. Next week, the developer heads for the International Council of Shopping Centers’ annual conference in Las Vegas. Sixty percent of mall leases are signed there, so we may hear more great, astonishing, amazing, remarkable news soon.

Editor’s note: It may be too late for Glenview to turn back on the MURC, and perhaps the public lacks the savvy to evaluate terms of the deal, but we are disturbed by the lack of information provided to the trustees and the public in advance – by the lack of notice and the demand that action be taken at once on this phase of the project. Our village management has used this tactic repeatedly to secure board approval for a project that deserves much more public airing. Recognizing the complexity of the deal, Trustee Guinane said he had called Don Owen’s office 12 days ago to ask for the terms of the agreement, "so the board would have a better understanding of what the requirements are with the first mortgage holder. I still haven’t gotten those documents," he said. An attorney for the village replied that, "The documents are not yet available."

More than a year after a Glenview boy was killed while playing on a construction site near downtown, parents report dozens of homes under construction at The Glen are easily accessible. One Watch reader wrote, "There are open foundations and sand piles on construction sites at the west end of The Glen, adjacent to Westbrook School. I guess the new fence law isn’t being enforced." Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade says there was a fence separating the construction area from Westbrook, but it has apparently been knocked down by people seeking easy access to ball fields at the school. The builder will reportedly be ordered to erect a new fence.

Tuesday’s meeting of the Plan Commission will include debate over the Canaan Presbyterian Church’s wish to build a parking lot on the northwest corner of Greenwood and East Lake. Area residents fear more parking will draw more traffic.

The owners of the Plaza del Prado shopping center will ask for permission to build two new restaurants at the corner of Willow and Pfingsten roads.

Developers will return with plans for residential development at the corner of Willow and Waukegan roads, and the village will ask for rezoning of its lot at the corner of Lake and Wagner where a new fire station is to be built.

Bart the Bull will leave Wagner Farm at noon Wednesday, May 15. After a stop at the University of Illinois’ Veterinary School, where he will be neutered, the now famous bull will be Wisconsin-bound – heading for a rural retirement. The public won’t be permitted near Bart, but members of Citizens Organized for Wagners say they’ll hang out in the Greek church parking lot to see Bart off. They are still more than $1,900 short on cash to save Bart and the cows – this despite a single anonymous contribution of $2,500 earmarked for Bart’s expenses. Donations payable to B.F. Thiele can be sent to 2031 Wagner Road, Glenview, IL 60025.

The Glenview Public Library Board has narrowed the field of applicants for the post of executive librarian from 30 to eight. Interviews with the library’s search committee are set for May 31 and June 1. Six candidates are local. Two are from other states.

Glenview’s police force is getting a new look. Each year the department will buy two black and white squad cars and will paint them with the image of a patrolman’s badge.

The new parking garage at the Cook County Courthouse on Old Orchard in Skokie is open again, so it’s no longer necessary to take a shuttle bus from a remote lot.

The Niles Township’s assessor is warning of a company offering to get homeowners refunds for a price. What they do is apply on your behalf for the homeowners’ exemption – something citizens can easily do themselves at no cost. Call the Niles, Maine, New Trier or Northfield Township assessor’s offices for details.

Coca Cola has again won exclusive rights to sell at Niles West and Niles North High Schools, and observers say the deal could be worth nearly $2 million – four times what it’s currently getting from the soft drink giant. Under a previous agreement, Niles got $25,000 a year from Coke plus 35 percent of sales. So critical was the deal to Coca Cola that the company flew a representative in from Atlanta to negotiate. At Glenbrook South, Principal Dave Smith expressed surprise and speculated that the school will accept a lot of advertising signage as part of the contract. GBS allows sales of both Pepsi and Coke products in part to avoid the ads. "You can really sell your soul," says Smith. On the other hand, he admits the amount of money involved is "incredible," and intends to look into it.

On learning that another Glenbrook South student had taken his own life, teen Paul Richards sent a long letter and shared an essay he wrote about GBS. Richards was once a student there but is now being schooled at home. Here are some excerpts from his correspondence: "Self-esteem is very important for a student. Students who are not good at reading, comprehending materials, concentrating have the hardest time with school. I remember one of my friends having trouble reading. The teacher would make him read aloud in class, and other kids would laugh. We fell behind fast. Not all students work at the same pace. I know a lot who just give up because they cannot learn as fast as others. Some try twice as hard at their school work and receive lower grades than students who can understand the materials faster. All this frustration and stress are brutal and destructive to a kid’s confidence.

"Not everyone can deal with the day-to-day stress. Some turn to substances that help them relax. Last year, 10 students got expelled from GBS for having illegal substances at school. Kids are crying for help, but no one is listening. They should be able to come to teachers for help, but the district’s zero tolerance policy [expelling any student who uses drugs on campus] makes that impossible. If you admit you have problems, peers will laugh at you, the psychiatrist or school counselor will tell the teacher, the teacher will tell the parent. It is like a giant chess game where students are the pawns -- pawns that the school board just throws away. In other words, under zero tolerance you get in trouble for seeking help that isn’t there anyway.

"Glenbrook South still has not learned that zero tolerance is not going to work. Many students have been placed in programs like Ombudsman, which is staring at a computer all day. How healthy is that? I’ve been told TV rots the brain. If that is so, then so does staring at a computer.

"The district should stop pointing the finger. Stop making students feel stupid. Aggression rises and can sometimes turn to depression or acts of rage. What is it going to take for people to pull together? How much pain and suffering does there have to be?"

Amy Brossard celebrates Bart’s salvation and the arrival of spring: "I am so glad that Bart's life has been spared and our leaders were able to find an amicable solution to those on both sides of the great animal divide. Hats off to all who argued on behalf of Bart and the cows. The kids’ comments in a recent issue of the Watch were the best! With as much retirement living as we have being built in Glenview, perhaps we should have an animal retirement community as well. Can we turn our attention to other open land issues and our wild friends? What is happening at the prairie? Haven't seen much of a duck population in the river. Anyone know why?"

The Watch replies: The first prairie walk of the season will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 18. Take Patriot to Compass and turn east for free tours featuring early spring wildflowers such as mountain blue-eyed grass, pussytoe, golden alexander. As for the ducks, local naturalist Rob Blomquist points out that during a wet spring ducks find many good places to nest and may foresake the river. He even saw a pair at Ace Hardware in downtown Glenview.

Jack writes about Glenview’s utility tax: "I had a lengthy conversation with SBC/Ameritech to review my account. I was told that the charges that I am paying are the largest local and

municipal fees that she has seen in Illinois. I know that municipalities love the utility taxes because we taxpayers do not see or care what we are charged, and it is painless for local governments to raise these taxes."

The Watch replies: Trustee John Crawford has raised this subject with village management, noting that the new telecommunications tax is raising more money than expected and proposing that it be scaled back. Village Manager Paul McCarthy discouraged such a move, pointing out that other sources of revenue have fallen short of expectation – not the least of which was the "non-opening" of Abt last November.

Looking ahead to summer, KS checked the 2002 park district program listings and was "appalled by the outdoor pool fees. When my family of nine moved here two and a half years ago, fees were substantially lower. I would not mind paying the higher fees if improvements to the outdoor pools were made. As I look at surrounding suburbs, I am amazed by the grandness of their outdoor pools and by their fees. Northbrook, for example, recently rehabbed their outdoor pools and has still kept their costs lower than Glenview’s. My family would pay just $108 for the season if we lived in Northbrook while a summer membership here will cost $215. I know that the indoor pool at The Glen has many nice features, but I would hope that the fees set for the outdoor pools aren’t based upon the higher costs of that indoor pool."

The Watch replies: Parks Superintendent of Leisure Services Bob Quill admits Glenview’s approach to family fees does not favor big families since it’s based on a per person charge. From 2000 to 2002, he adds, our per person charge has risen just $4.44. On the subject of pool conditions, Quill agrees with you. "We have two old pools. Flick is entering its 39^th season, and Roosevelt has been around for 63 years. In this part of the world, pools usually last 30-35 years, so our situation is virtually unheard of," he says. A consultant has been hired to study replacement plans for Glenview’s outdoor pools, and options will be outlined in August. Still to be determined: how a new pool or two would be funded and whether to build a lavish, money-making water park or to stick with something more basic. Stay tuned.

Award-winning science teacher Rob Blomquist writes about future plans for Wagner Farm: "In regards to all this Bart the Bull business, I am reminded of a quote from the great naturalist Aldo Leopold: ‘There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the belief that food comes from the grocery store, and two that heat comes from the furnace.’ Students in the North Shore have no idea what is involved in running a farm, and they are in desperate need of educational opportunities. Wagner Farm should do its best to demonstrate the daily practices of a family farm. It should not be a petting zoo. I didn't vote for the farm as a place for cows. In a suburban community so greatly separated from agricultural traditions, Wagner Farm should be a vital place for education that is both realistic and historic – not idyllic and unrealistic."

LP hopes residents will attend Tuesday’s Plan Commission meeting to discuss rezoning land at the corner of Lake Avenue and Wagner Road – 831 Lake Street – bounded by the Cook County Forest Preserve on the east side and residential housing worth millions on the south side. It is opposite the Greek church and caddy corner from Wagner Farm. "This is where the village wants to build the new fire station. If it succeeds, Lake Avenue will have to be widened to get the fire trucks out of the property. The fire station on Glenview Road is built on a huge piece of land with a large vacant lot behind it. The station itself is at least 100 feet from the houses next to it. There was ample room to build there. The property at Lake and Wagner is not as large, and widening at that intersection will be a problem. I wonder if COWS people realize how much of the farm will be lopped off – a rectangle about 17 by 500 feet!"

The Watch replies: COWS has actually started a study of how widening will impact the farm.  

YOUR TURN: Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a contribution to support The Watch. Non-deductible checks should be payable to Glenview Watch. Thanks for your support and for reading. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors.

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