PARK DISTRICT UNVEILS NEW OUTDOOR POOLS

Glenview's aging Flick and Roosevelt pools could be replaced by flashy new facilities if the public approves drawings submitted to the park district board last week and votes a tax hike to fund the new facilities. Officials say the existing pools are badly cracked and cannot be repaired indefinitely.

In their place, architect Lawrence Kmiecik proposes a modest aquatic center at Flick consisting of a 40,000-square-foot activity pool up to four feet deep, a kiddie pool, lap pool, deep pool with giant slides and/or diving boards, and a splash pool with nets for climbing over the water, ropes for swinging-in and colorful structures that spray bathers. There would also be a 5,000-square-foot bath house with locker and restrooms and a concessions building positioned to serve pool and park patrons.

The complex would be somewhat larger than what is now at Flick, but Kmiecik stressed it would be a local facility rather than a regional attraction. "We're not going to have busloads of people coming in," he explained. 

The new Roosevelt pool would be similar in size to the present one, with a crescent-shaped main pool, a four-lane lap pool and an island separating the two. The island might feature waterfalls and a lighted cupola, which Bob Quill, the district's director of leisure services, described as "Coney Islandish." Quill said many features of the historic Roosevelt pool would be retained or restored, including the bath house and zero-depth design, with the water just an inch deep at the edge -- getting progressively deeper as bathers walk or swim toward the center.

Both pools could be heated using solar energy, an option proposed by park board member Judy Beck. She said the costs would be minimal, and government grants might be available to pay for and install solar panels.

Quill could not say what the new pools would cost but promised that information would be available in time for a series of public presentations this summer. Among other things, park district staff will conduct surveys at Flick and Roosevelt and hold public hearings on August 12 and 16. A program could also be cablecast on GVTV, and designs are expected to appear on the park district's website. 

MYSTERIES OF THE DEEP

From time to time, lifeguards have forced swimmers to leave the deep section of Roosevelt pool because the water had become too cloudy to spot someone in distress. Careful chemical analysis could not account for the cloudiness, although experts said there appeared to be no health risk. The park district then began calling other public swimming pools and discovered that at least 17 communities were having the same problem. (Wheaton had been wrestling with it for seven years!) Experts say the cloudiness could have something to do with the paint used on those pools or with sunscreen used by patrons. They also note that all 17 pools that reported a problem were zero-depth design – although some zero-depth pools in Illinois have not had this trouble. The Watch – and perhaps the park district – welcome any ideas from readers as to what may be causing this mystery of the deep.

MORE PARKS PATTER

– COWS Vice President Norma Morrison made a special trip to the park board's meeting to request that the commissioners provide 30-days' notice before making decisions regarding Wagner Farm. "That will allow the public to give you meaningful comment," she explained. Her brief remarks were interrupted by President Chris Warren who worried that perhaps Morrison should make her presentation during some other part of the meeting. The board members had no response to Morrison's plea.

–- The park board approved a new logo for Wagner Farm – one that does include a cow – and praised original artwork for Saturday's Dairy Breakfast poster, created by staff artist Julie Baran-Reilly.

– The farm has three new residents – three little pigs to be exact. Bob Quill was not sure if the animals had names yet, but he warned they are on lease and will be returned to their owner this fall. If the pigs prove popular, he said others might be leased next spring. The Wagner Farm steering committee had recommended against keeping pigs at the farm, as they are known to create a stink.

– The Swenson Park dedication has been set for 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12, although the park is actually expected to open sometime this week. It will feature a playground, basketball court, skate park, in-line hockey rink and shelter.

– The Grove played host to dozens of bird watchers this spring. They recorded more than 50 species passing through as part of their annual migration.

– This year's Bearfoot in the Park series features the following free performances at Jackman Park opposite the downtown train station:

June 25 – Dance hits from the 70's, 80's and 90's with The Only Sons.
July 9 – BBI playing current hits and songs made famous by Gloria Gaynor, the Bee Gees and Tina Turner.
July 16 – The White Saddle Band playing country, rock, R&B and oldies.
July 23 – Video Stars playing today's most popular music.
August 6 – R Gang – a combination of Motown and R&B.

AHEM

Finally, the food service manager at Glenview's main golf course on Shermer south of Glenview Road notes that there were 19 private parties there in May, "although we are still owed for four Rotary breakfasts, again! And one check from Loyola Academy."

MORE MAD ANTICS AT THE MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

Citizen watchdog Mike Luxem arrived shortly before 8 a.m. for last week's special meeting of the Mosquito Abatement District. For several years, Luxem has been following the questionable conduct of that government agency, video taping its meetings and asking lots of questions. This behavior has not endeared him to Chairman Don Israel, who greeted Luxem with an expletive, then asked him to step outside so the board could hold an executive session. It was not enough for him to wait in the lobby. The board members insisted he leave the building.

Twenty minutes later, Luxem and a Tribune reporter were invited in to hear member Helena Chrones announce she was resigning. After she had gone, the group began a discussion of their search for an entomologist (bug expert) and decided Chrones could share the job with retired laboratory director George Xamples. Both will be paid $50 per hour as special consultants to the district. The board said Chrones has a bachelor's degree in chemistry and is working on a master's degree in environmental management.

In other news from the NSMAD, 62-year-old Superintendent Bill Henry says he will step down this fall, but the board voted to continue providing health insurance for him until the age of 65. 
After the meeting, the Tribune reporter quizzed Henry about a Mosquito Abatement District employee who was picked up by Lincolnwood police for allegedly stealing wooden pallettes from behind a local grocery store while driving a Mosquito Abatement District truck. Henry denied knowledge of the matter, but the reporter played a recording of the message reportedly left on Henry's answering machine by police. The reporter also noted that the man had given Henry's address when asked where he lived. Henry said he took the man and his family in while they were looking for an apartment.



LIBRARY BOARD RESPONDS

In last week's Watch, library board critics John Ranz and Terry Wodder challenged plans for a 110,000-square-foot library, asserting that is far more space per capita than other libraries in this area have. Glenview's library board wrote to explain that, "the square footage was not proposed by comparing Glenview to neighboring libraries, but rather as a result of our desire to offer programs and opportunities to this community" and to "keep pace with the technologies of the 21st century."

"The need for additional technology workstations and a training room is well-documented. The dozen Internet workstations which the library currently offers is pathetically low for a community with the population of Glenview," the board wrote. "Although many residents have computers of their own, they do not have the high speed (T-1 line) Internet connections offered at the library. Many of the library's electronic databases are highly technical in nature and require the assistance of well-trained reference librarians to assist the patrons in formulating their search."

The trustees also said they wanted enough space to house the library's large business collection, a café to offer beverages and snacks, and a young adult area "to appeal to this very impressionable age group. Young adults are our leaders of tomorrow," the board wrote. "We, at the library, feel that this group deserves an area that not only houses popular materials in print and non-print formats, but also gives them a place where they can come together for teen events, without disrupting the study atmosphere in the rest of the library." 

"The new library will also have a separate multi-purpose room for the youth of Glenview, allowing an increase in the number of outstanding programs that the Youth Services Department can offer. They will no longer have to compete with or wait their turn to schedule a program depending upon other space commitments. Additional multi-purpose rooms will allow library staff to offer programming on a more flexible schedule, giving greater consideration to patron convenience." 

Other elements listed as factors in planning for such a large building included a desire to provide private study rooms where residents could work "sans the numerous distractions and interruptions often encountered at home or at the office," and the need to accommodate people with disabilities. 
Members also cited Glenview's growing population. "What is built now will serve the residents of Glenview for many years to come," the panel wrote.
The board took exception to a Watch suggestion that Glenview residents who live closer to Wilmette or Northbrook might use libraries in those communities. "While it is true that patrons have access to neighboring libraries' collections through membership in the North Suburban Library System, Glenview should not rely on other libraries to offer the services to its residents that they have a right to expect from their home library," the board said. "Reciprocal borrowing is intended as a privilege of system membership, but is not to be overused as a replacement for what is not offered at the local level."

Editor's note: Between focus groups and consultants, Glenview's library board has heard many good ideas for the building it plans, but those plans should be tempered by a recognition that taxpayers have limited resources and may not wish to build a library that is all things to all people. Do we really need a snack shop in the library when Ari's Café does a brisk business across the street? Should the entire community foot the bill for access to obscure data bases or T1 lines? How many meeting rooms does the community need given space available in schools, churches and park district facilities? Will teens really choose to hang out at the local library just because we've spent money to create a place for them? We understand and applaud the board's enthusiasm but are still waiting for credible answers to two key questions. Is there demonstrated demand for such a large building with so many services, and could money be saved by building a new post office at The Glen, then building on to the existing library at its present location?

LIBRARY BOARD CRITICS TALK BACK

In response to library board member Karen Teitelbaum's contention that it would, in fact, be "very, very expensive" to build a post office, John Ranz and Terry Wodder write: "We believe Teitelbaum is mistaken. A post office is essentially a plain Jane. According to a Pepper Construction architect we spoke to, it would cost approximately $100 per square foot to build. That figure fits with an estimate mentioned by the village manager in January, 2001. Paul McCarthy told the Glenview Announcements that the post office ‘had planned to spend in excess of $8 million,' for a new facility. Subtract the cost of site acquisition and development, furnishings and equipment and you're left with about $4 million to build a 40,000-square-foot post office.

"Now compare that figure with the cost to build a new 110,000-square-foot library. Like a new school or office building, a library really is an expensive option with costly windows and doors, fancy ceilings and lights, expensive carpeting and furnishings. Based on Orland Park's estimate, the cost to build a new 85,000-square-foot library for 51,000 residents will be approximately $288 per square foot. (Note that they're going with 85,000 square feet for 51,000 residents; not 110,000-square feet for 43,000 residents as Glenview's library board has proposed.) 

"That's what makes our compromise plan so simple. It's far cheaper to build a new post office than a brand new library. If the library relocates, it must first replace the 53,000 square feet of space it already has – the space you already paid for -- before building additional space. If the library stays put and adds on, it will save the taxpayers approximately $20 million. This plan is affordable and doable. It's time for Village President Carlson, Library Board President Grant and Company to roll up their sleeves and get it done." 

VILLAGE BOARD OKAYS $40,000 HISTORY OF GALLERY PARK

Without a word of debate, Glenview's trustees agreed to spend $38,000 on a book of color pictures and text describing the history of Gallery Park at The Glen. Village staffer Amy Ahner gave a cryptic explanation of why the book was needed. "If a resident has a question like,‘Can I have wedding photos taken on the bridge in Gallery Park?' this document will say where there are places for specific events. Which will then lead to policy discussions that will not be included in the document. What if a proposal came before the village: Can a large group like U2 or Metallica play in Gallery Park? Well, the original design intent was for community events, so the guidebook will say that the park's design intent is for community events."

"Another example of a future development question that could come up:" she continued, "What if someone wanted to put a bandshell at the amphitheater? Well the guidebook will then say historically the design intent of where the amphitheater is within the park was to have full lake views – full views of Techny Towers. It won't say anything about how to address the proposal, but it will say what the original intent was, and then help inform people in the future what the historical design of the park was."

Editor's note: We suspect much of the information to be included in the book is already available through original planning documents and blueprints. We can't imagine why a color, bound book would be necessary, and we feel policy should be a matter of present-day needs and values, not history. No matter what the original planners of Gallery Park had in mind, for example, we doubt this community would support a Metallica concert in 2003. Sadly, we fear Glenview's village board can't say no – even to the most blatant of boondoggles. 

COMMISSIONERS REAPPOINTED – NO QUESTIONS ASKED

Without public warning, Village President Larry Carlson proposed reappointment of four people who serve on local government panels, including John Hedrick and Bruce Burch of the Appearance Commission, Charles Kramer of the Historic Preservation Commission and Plan Commissioner Joseph DiMattina. 

While Burch, an architect by trade, has long experience in planning, the decision to keep him on may have been unpopular with some. Burch does not live in Glenview.

The issue was not raised by the trustees, all members of a political elite that has controlled Glenview for decades. Given the opportunity to bring new residents into local government – to expand the pool of talent, ideas and expertise – Carlson opted to stay with the status quo.

ALSO AT VILLAGE HALL

– The trustees approved plans for a contemporary stucco building to house the Kohl Children's Museum at the corner of Patriot and West Lake Avenue. 

– The board voted unanimously to rezone Meier's Tavern, to allow the addition of a beer garden along with a larger parking lot and building. Some neighbors objected. Village attorney Jeff Randall said he had produced five different drafts of an ordinance, attempting to satisfy residents and the business owner. As always, his bill will go to the taxpayers. 

– Despite strong concerns expressed by the plan commission over the park district's decision to build an asphalt parking lot at The Grove and install two buildings, described by some as "functional" and by others as "ugly," the trustees gave a green light to the project. 

– The board agreed to spend nearly $80,000 to redesign a parking lot on the west side of The Glen of North Glenview Metra station to accommodate Pace buses should they decide to stop there. Pace currently stops on the east side of the station and says it can't afford to help out with the parking lot expense right now. It has not even committed to the route change that would make commuting faster and safer, so Trustee Jeff Lerner suggested the area in question be striped for parking until Pace comes through with the cash. Also agreeing to the change, Trustee Mike Guinane reasoned: "If we can spend $40,000 on a book to tell us how we can use Gallery Park, we can spend $79,000 on future parking or spaces for buses over at the train station."

BUSINESS WATCH

-- Crain's Chicago Business reports retail sales were down 1.2 percent in the Chicago metropolitan area last year. Schaumburg, the suburb with the most retail activity, saw the steepest decline, while Glenview had a 22% rise in sales, spurred by the opening of Abt Electronics and Appliances on Milwaukee Avenue. 

– As Glenview awaits the opening of a Harley-Davidson satellite store on Willow Road this fall, the Chicago Tribune reports shares of Harley stock have been downgraded by Banc of America after its analyst claimed demand for Harley motorcycles has collapsed during this, the company's 100th year in business. 

– Caremark is hunting for a new home and may decide to build at The Glen. The pharmacy plan management firm says it won't come without tax breaks and is also looking at two possible sites in Northbrook – the Techny area or the old Motorola factory at 4000 Commercial Avenue according to the Northbrook Star. If the project were built at Techny, it would benefit Glenbrook High School District 225 and Northbrook/Glenview District 30, but those districts could be asked to abate taxes for a period of years in exchange for Caremark's decision to build at Techny.

SAVE THE DATE

– A lead investigator of the World Trade Center disaster, structural engineer Gene Corley, will speak at the Glenview Senior Center, 2400 Chestnut Avenue, at 9:45 Wednesday, June 25. 

– August 2 is Threshing Day at Wagner Farm. Activities are planned from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission will be $3 for anyone over the age of 3.

– State Representative Beth Coulson hosts a panel discussion of ethics reform in politics from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 29 at the Evanshire Presbyterian Church, 4555 Church St. in Skokie. For details, call 847-724-3233.

CORRECTIONS

– Last week we described Northbrook Greens, on Waukegan Road just north of Willow, as a 160-unit development built on three acres of land. In fact, that site is nearly 20 acres. Based on a report in the Northbrook Star, we indicated that The Society of the Divine Word, unable to develop a nearby parcel with offices, now planned to ask for permission to build more town homes, but a spokesman for the order says no official request has been made. He confirmed, however, that a 165-unit development is on the drawing boards. If approved, it would be built on a 40-acre site at Techny.

– Glenview will not be getting a new Dunkin' Donuts as reported in last week's Watch. The existing store at Greenwood and Milwaukee will be remodeled to incorporate a new look for the franchise, faster coffee-making capabilities and more consistent baked products.

READERS WRITE

HD explodes over news of no parking, no mass transit and no special provisions for cyclists at this year's fireworks: "Doesn't it just figure that we get a special edition of the Village
Report -- printed at taxpayer's expense -- that tells us there will be no parking for the masses at the Fourth of July fireworks? Of course, if you pay extra money to be a member of the in crowd, you will be allowed to park in lots that have been reserved just for you. Nowhere is there any thought or mention of providing buses from lots elsewhere. (Like, duh, how about from downtown where we could park near the train?) Neither, of course, was there any consideration that some people might like a safe way to get their kids there on bikes. We are going to skip the Glenview fireworks this year and watch in a town that has values more in keeping with our own."

JLo agrees with KE who thought perhaps he was being paranoid about a possible government bias toward The Glen: "Hey KE, you're not paranoid. The entire universe now revolves around The Glen, haven't you heard? Don't know why there was such a to do about Hangar One. You can't even see it now. The whole Town Center deal is butt-ugly, but no big surprise. No one listened when ideas were sought for development or nondevelopment of the base in the first go around. And the prairie? It's so small no self-respecting wildlife would live there. At least they know about over-concentration of housing. Maybe our leaders need to learn from the birds and animals. And while I'm at it, whose brainchild was it to let the spectators for the LaSalle Open park in the fitness center parking lot? I pay a hefty fee to belong there, and I should have a place to park even while a big deal tournament is being held in the vicinity. Or maybe, KE, I'm being paranoid?"

KE's comments also struck a chord with RB: "I totally agree that the historic tower and hanger are hardly visible as you drive by The Glen Town Center on Patriot. The tiny site line towards the lake hardly draws your attention and does not seem at all majestic or aesthetically coordinated with the idea of preserving a control tower. The mock-ups shown for years at village meetings did not depict a hidden control tower. Of course mock-ups are just PR work, so what did we expect. As for the controversy over the Kohl's Children's Museum - I thought museums were supposed to be inpirational and commanding respect. Maybe the Art Institute should get rid of those lions - they really don't fit in with modern Michigan Avenue. Perhaps the Louvre should demolish the glass pyramid entry that resides in its courtyard. Perhaps the Guggenheim should look more like a conventional office tower in Manhattan. Thank God not every governmental body is so simple-minded and conservative as Glenview's visually-uninspired village board."

And John Kozicki laments the missing control tower: "KE is correct about the once proud control tower at the Glen. It is barely visible anymore after all of the huge buildings being built around it. Even from upstairs at the Park Center on the walking/running track same thing - a hard to see control tower. This should have been the centerpiece for the shopping center, not some tiny little pimple. Also Patriot Blvd will soon need to be widened, as the traffic coming out of the movie theaters, shopping center will be more than can be handled."

RC is concerned about traffic congestion in the Willows: "During the school year, Happy Hollow Road is reduced to a single lane for cars trying to go in both directions around the 2:45 to 3:15 P.M. pick up time. Certainly would be a dangerous situation if an emergency vehicle needed to get through while all these mommies are parking, double parking, and jockeying for better locations waiting for their kids to get out of school for the day. There have been days when I have been head-to-head with another car, each of us with a car behind us, and pretty much no way for either of us to move. Complaints to the police don't help much since it's roll call time at the station and there are a limited number of squads on patrol. By the time a car gets there, the kids are out and the problem doesn't look as bad. ‘No parking or standing 2:30 to 3:30' signs are really needed on both sides of the street during the school year."

The Watch put your concerns to Deputy Chief Brad Weigel: "The parking situation at Willowbrook is not as simple as it seems. When most of the schools in town were built, we did not have this fairly recent cultural phenomenon of darn near everybody driving their kids to school. Consequently, traffic engineering didn't address it. This issue, much like gridlock, doesn't go away simply by pounding out ordinances or planting restrictive signs. If we posted the signs RC proposes, how do you think parents would react? Would they jam up some other neighborhood or violate the ordinance and drive right down to the school anyway? Do you want ‘No Parking' on one side of the street? Which side? Either side you post will irk the neighbors living on the street. 

"If we do post, it would probably be the south side because if we posted the north side, kids would dart across the street to their waiting parents. Is that safe? Then you would need that ambulance RC writes about. Restrict parking and kids would run and cross further down the street to their waiting parents, unless their parents are illegally double-parked (or double stopped) in the street like they often do now. 

"In terms of enforcement, we have literally walked that neighborhood and written tickets for double parking at the request of residents irritated with this daily practice. The same goes for parents blocking resident driveways and the near fights we've been called to. The result is short
term at best. The school has already done about all they can do via their own communications to parents. Those results are short term at best. (In fact, most principals in town that I have worked with have done a remarkable job managing traffic around their schools and dealing with many parents who, if they had their own way, would attempt to drive into the school and drop their kid off in the hallway outside their classroom.)

"The fact that we have a shift change at about the time many schools are letting out does not impact our ability to respond. We program in overlap and have two traffic cars available. What is true is that we have many other commitments at this time of day, and I'm not able to commit every available squad to enforcement at Willowbrook.

"I understand the remote potential for a delayed response by an ambulance with cars clogging a street. (Although you would be surprised at how creative police and firemen can be at getting around.) The design of the streets around that school make Willowbrook a tough nut to crack from a traffic management standpoint. That said, I will advance this to the traffic committee to see if there is something else we can try. But let's face it, the traffic committee already has more complaints queued up than people outside a Springsteen concert." 

The Watch replies: We appreciate the police department's candor and hope Village President Carlson will soon appoint a traffic and pedestrian safety commission to assist Glenview's finest in finding solutions to the many complaints and issues faced by residents using local roads.

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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