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The Glenview Watch
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RESIDENTS TANGLE OVER DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
Stressing that this was a “first, first, first, rough, rough, rough draft,” a consultant to the village outlined a vision for downtown Glenview Thursday. Among other things, it proposed a number of four-story residential and retail buildings on Waukegan Road, construction of a new village hall at its present site, “dressing up” the intersection of Lake Avenue and Waukegan Road to signal the start of a downtown area, and creating a landscaped median on Waukegan to beautify the street and make it more appealing to pedestrians.
The consultant also proposed replacing the dairy bar with an “ice cream pavilion” should Chuck and Janelle decide to sell their fabled property, and there were ambitious plans for the OLPH parking lot. Planners noted it’s rarely full on weekdays and suggested removing some of the blacktop to make way for a small park and reduce the church’s obligation to install storm water detention at the site. While OLPH has not publicly indicated a willingness to make such changes, Development Director Mary Bak says the consultants talked with representatives from the parish and with other downtown land owners.
Members of the downtown plan commission struggled to decide how practical the vision of downtown needs to be, given that some options might not appear financially feasible. Village Manager Todd Hileman says he’ll be working with the consultants over the next two months to determine which ideas might be fully funded by the free market and which ones would require some type of public subsidy or suspension of zoning requirements to fly.
The most compelling protests came from two camps. Resident Bill Dose questioned the need for more stores. He noted the consultant’s repeated call for buildings that combined retail and residential space but dismissed that as a model developed for urban renewal projects in the 70’s. It was, he said, a way to bring investment money to deteriorating areas but not a suitable approach for Glenview. Instead, Dose argued for upscale residential buildings along Waukegan Road.
Businessmen who own Glenview State Bank, Bess Hardware, The Noodle and Grandpa’s appeared to agree and worried that the village would not give them latitude to develop their properties. Without sufficient financial incentive for owners and investors, Arthur Bess warned the redevelopment would not happen. Bess expressed frustration with the pace of the planning process. “If we could do something, we’d love to do it while we’re still lucid,” he joked.
Attorney Mike Downing, who represents the group, complained that previous planning exercises have led to no change downtown. “The only development that has taken place is the Renneckar’s property, which is dead in the water,” he said. “You have to study the economics, and the economics are about height, about density and storm water detention.”
Downing said his group had been studying its options for 14 months – learning from its own consultants. He concluded the village should stop asking developers to deal with storm water problems and stop pushing for retail space, since the market for residential property is far stronger.
“If you folks have been studying this for 14 months,” said Chairman Kim Woodrow, “why don’t you bring your plans forward and let us incorporate them into what we’re doing?”
“We wanted to see the process work its way through,” Downing replied.
“We’re very anxious to have you come forward and show us what you’re thinking,” Woodrow continued. “Let’s work on a collaborative basis to get something done.”
GSB’s John Jones replied that the group had not been invited to make a presentation.
“Let us formally invite you to make a presentation,” Woodrow replied. “We’d be more than happy to do that at any time,” Mr. Jones.
“I have invited Mr. Downing on at least three occasions to come forward with a plan,” said committee member Ty Laurie.
“Mr. Laurie, you’re an attorney. I’m an attorney,” Downing replied. “You do what your clients tell you to do. Correct?”
“I’m addressing the claim that they haven’t been invited,” Laurie shot back.
“I think they understand that, Ty,” said Chairman Woodrow.
As Downing sat down, businessman Paul Ryan stood up to provide the evening’s only moment of comic relief. He operates a physical therapy center on Waukegan Road, and having witnessed the verbal wrestling match Ryan announced that he and his wife were offering a $20 rebate for first visits if customers mentioned the Downtown Redevelopment Commission meeting. “Are you open tonight?” asked one weary member of the committee.
RENNECKAR’S CHANGING HANDS AGAIN
Renneckar's is back on the market with an asking price of $3 million. The former site of a family-owned pharmacy had been set to open as an elegant restaurant and bar, but a deal with prospective investors apparently collapsed. In 2003, before it was rehabbed, the property sold for $1.23 million according to a report in the Glenview Journal.
LIBRARY UPDATE: NEW CONSULTANT, OLD FRIEND
The village and library boards will choose a Northbrook firm that is serving as architect for its new police station to evaluate space needs and costs for a new library. Sente-Rubel-Bosman-Lee will get nearly $66,000 for its work – far more than village manager Todd Hileman originally expected Glenview to pay. Hileman thought the job would cost $25,000-$50,000 but believes the higher price is justified since Sente plans to assign its most experienced people to the job.
The firm – one of four considered for the job -- will be allowed to bid on serving as architect for the project once plans are finalized. Village Manager Todd Hileman says there would be no conflict of interest. "The current scope of services Sente is providing has little, to nothing, to do with the design of the building. Their team is simply looking at general pricing options, combined with the library's programming desires, and moderating a discussion, with no regard to project cost," he explains.
Phillips Swager, the firm originally selected by Glenview’s library board to design a new facility, was not permitted to bid on the space and costs analysis, presumably to avoid such a conflict. Hileman said Phillips Swager could remain as the project’s architect, or another firm might be selected. The village and library boards are expected to use Sente’s findings as a basis for joint discussions in August.
CUMMINGS CONSIDERS A DOZEN CANDIDATES
Village President Kerry Cummings has begun the process of interviewing applicants for a vacancy on the village board. Village Hall said 12-15 people had expressed interest, and Cummings had invited trustees to be part of the interview process. Hileman said the president hoped to have her choice in place by late June when the board will hold two days of closed-door discussions on the 2006 budget, results of a community survey and the manager’s plan for future action.
PLAN COMMISSION TO CONSIDER MUSLIM GROUP’S PROPOSAL
Members of a Muslim sect have released details of their plan for a house of worship on Shermer Road near Golf at the site once occupied by Nicor. The Aga Kahn Foundation hopes to build a 29,500-square-foot facility for prayer, educational and social activities to serve a congregation of 900 people. There would also be a parking lot for 350 vehicles with access north of McArthur Drive off Shermer.
A public hearing on the requests, originally scheduled for May 24 by the Glenview Plan Commission, has been rescheduled to 7:30 p.m. June 14 at Village Hall, 1225 Waukegan Road.
Nasser Meherally, who speaks for the Ismaili House of Worship, insisted the group is not planning a “mosque,” because "only members of the Ismaili community would be allowed to attend.” His group submitted a report to the village claiming the center will have little impact on traffic, with daily prayer services from 5:15 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Planners predict a full parking lot for just five Muslim holy days.
Ismailis represent about 15 million of the more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide. They are a subset of Shiite Muslims who see the Aga Kahn as their spiritual leader. He is a billionaire philanthropist who lives near Paris, was educated at Harvard and is a renowned horse breeder.
In suburban Texas, officials recently welcomed another Ismaili house of worship. The Houston Chronicle wrote: “The $10 million Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land will sit on 11.5 acres of property on First Colony Boulevard. It will house a collection of Ismaili art, a cultural center, and conference and prayer rooms.
“‘It has a lot of art-Texas flavor, and it also has a lot of Islamic architecture ingrained,’ said Celina Charania, a lawyer and Sugar Land resident. ‘It is an interesting mix, and it is really quite pretty.’
“Gov. Rick Perry will attend the ceremony, which will not be open to the public because of limited space, organizers said.
“One of the largest Ismaili Muslim centers in the United States, the new building also will serve as national headquarters for the Aga Khan's social-service and community networks in the United States, said Hanif Mamdani of Dallas, a volunteer with the Ismaili Council for the United States.
“Members of the Ismaili Muslim community began arriving in the Houston area in large numbers in the 1960s, often to work or study at the Texas Medical Center, Mamdani said. Since then, the population has grown to about 15,000.”
“‘Texas had a welcoming attitude,’ he said. In addition to the United States, communities of Ismaili Muslims live in India, Pakistan and countries in Africa and the Middle East.”
“The current Aga Khan, like those before him, has emphasized the faith's commitment to self-reliance and service to the needy. Recently, the Aga Khan gave $75 million in aid to help rebuild Afghanistan.”
Editor’s note: We’re not sure if the distinction between a “mosque” and an “Ismaili Muslim house of worship” is meaningful or just plain prudent. An Islamic civil rights group recently reported a sharp rise in anti-Muslim incidents from 2003 to 2004. The Council on American-Islamic Relations claims more than 1,500 cases were reported last year, a 50 per cent increase.
VILLAGE ACCELERATES SHERMER RECONSTRUCTION
Crews are laying down asphalt on the southbound lane of Shermer Road between Glenview and Central this week and will then start tearing up the northbound lane. Once that phase of construction is complete, Public Works Director Bill Porter says work will be done on Shermer south of Central and between Lake and Glenview roads. By working on both ends of the street starting June 15, Porter said reconstruction could be finished by year’s end, making it possible to open all intersections for the winter. Landscaping and other details would wait until spring.
GLENVIEW GETS SHORT SHRIFT FOR STATE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
A $9.15 billion budget for roadwork in Illinois from 2006-2011 contains little money for local improvements. The state commits to improving Willow Road in Northfield next year, and over the next four years there could be cash for Willow in Glenview and for improvements to the Edens between Lake Cook and the Kennedy. Work in Northfield was supposed to start this spring, but the legislature failed to approve funding. For details, visit IDOT’s website: www.dot.state.il.us/
ARMY CORPS CLEARS CAR DEALERSHIP FOR WILLOW ROAD
Despite village plans to abandon 10 acres of promised man-made wetlands along Willow Road, the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to sign off on a plan that allows installation of three car dealerships (Field’s Jeep, Chrysler/Dodge and Mitsubishi) at the intersection of Patriot Boulevard. Glenview says it will create man-made wetlands around Lake Glenview and at The Grove.
MEDIA WATCH
With the nation waiting to hear whether more military bases would be closed, National Public Radio came to town and did a profile on The Glen. After tooling around town with former Village President Nancy Firfer, reporter David Schaper filed this report:
http://www.npr.org/lightningcast/banners.html?rpcontextheight=290&rpcontextwidth=500
RESTAURANT ROW
-- The former site of Jim McMahon’s Milwaukee Avenue restaurant will soon have a new tenant – an upscale Brazilian steakhouse similar to Chicago’s Fogo de Chao and Sal y Carvao. “Churrascos,” a Portuguese word meaning “barbecue,” will be owned and operated by Haeng S. Koo, proprietor of Delmonico’s in downtown Chicago.
-- Ted’s Montana Grill is set to open May 23 at The Glen. Owned by media mogul Ted Turner, the restaurant calls itself an “authentic saloon” and features classic American comfort food and a few surprises: bison steak, ribs, burgers and meatloaf, beer can chicken, fresh cherry lemonade and giant cookies. Burgers start at $6.89, and there’s a $3.99 menu for kids.
-- Mario Galletti is expanding his chef-owned restaurant in the shopping strip next to Jasper’s on Waukegan Road. Mario’s Mondo Café is asking the village board to allow outdoor seating for his family-owned Italian eatery.
NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORS
-- Park Center could be seeing some new members as the North Suburban Y makes further cuts in services. The Northbrook Star says the 36-year-old recreation center will no longer supply towels to patrons – eliminating an operating expense of $60,000. Finances are so tight that the Y has been unable to make its $1.5 million monthly mortgage payment. It escaped foreclosure when Covenant Village, its neighbor and owner of the site, agreed to buy the mortgage. Now, officials are trying to come up with cash for new carpeting, exercise equipment and improvements to the ladies’ locker room. The Y's 2003 Commit to the Dream fund-raising campaign to raise $300,000 for significant capital improvements netted only $17,000.
-- After failing to make Newsweek magazine’s listing of the top 100 high schools in the nation, the Pioneer Press says New Trier Superintendent Hank Bangser dismissed the magazine’s methods as “so simplistic that it's absurd.” When Newsweek added up Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken by a school's students and divided that by the number of graduating seniors, New Trier ranked 293 behind Lincolnshire's Stevenson High School (#86) and Hinsdale Central (#146). The top Chicago area school was Lincoln Park High School (#31).
-- One of Northbrook’s spunkiest librarians will show her stuff this summer, trading traditional attire for a red mini-skirt, yellow belt and long red cape emblazoned with the letter “S.” The Northbrook Star says 61-year-old Lolly Gepson will dress as Supergirl to promote the library's Superheroes: Powered By Books summer reading program for kids.
POLITICAL PATTER
-- Wheeling has voted to limit campaign lawn signs after last year’s election produced tremendous clutter. Trustees said they counted as many as 35 signs on one lot near the intersection of Dundee and Wheeling roads. As many as 43 signs of various sizes and heights appeared on another lot. Trustees agreed to limit the size of all campaign signs to 16 inches by 26 inches and to hold each candidate to one sign per property.
-- A judge has dismissed the suit filed by Maine Township Supervisor Bob Dudycz against his political rival Maine Township Republican Committeeman Mark Thompson. According to the Morton Grove Champion, Thompson told precinct captains last fall that he "couldn't support Dudycz [for political office] because he was the subject of a criminal investigation by the Illinois State Police.” Dudycz denied that claim and sued but did not show up for his day in court. He said he’d decided to drop the matter after discussing it with the pastor of his church. "It's the season of Easter, and he said this is the time to forgive transgressors," Dudycz explained. He added that too many lawsuits are being filed in today's society anyway and believed withdrawing the suit is "the Christian thing to do."
NEW FUNDS FOR COUNTY FORESTS
The Cook County Forest Preserve will sell $100 million in general obligation bonds, and about $27 million will be coming this way for improvements to parts of Glenview, Niles, Morton Grove, Lincolnwood and Skokie. The Chicago Botanic Garden will receive $25 million for several projects, including renovations to its education building and a massive reconstruction of its north lawn area. The county also set aside $600,000 to improve the North Branch Bicycle Trail in Skokie and Morton Grove – a priority project for Commissioner Larry Suffredin.
WILDLIFE WATCH
-- Does a woodpecker drum on a tree in your neighborhood? Did you spot a snapping turtle crossing Lehigh? Have you seen great egrets on the river across from Kohl’s or spied muskrats gliding along the riverbanks? Let us know! Nature in and around Glenview is hanging on, and we’d like to create an on-line journal of natural wonders. Our first report comes from Rob Blomquist who heard blue jays calling again in large numbers around his home in Tall Trees. The shrill has been rare since West Nile Virus killed many area jays. "I am crossing my fingers and hoping to hear them well into the mosquito months ahead," he writes.
-- A Deerfield man has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals for striking and injuring a goose. The 32-year-old drove into a parking lot near Harris Bank, got out of his car and hit the bird. Bank employees say the man came back later that morning and smashed all the goose eggs in a nearby nest. Police found the injured goose near its nest and were able to identify the culprit through a bank security camera. The suspect turned himself in after being contacted by police. He was sentenced to one-year conditional discharge, ordered to undergo anger management counseling, donate $500 to Orphans of the Storm, and do 100 hours of public service.
-- Area arborists are on the lookout for what could be a devastating development – the arrival of emerald ash borers. Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire is a beetle discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit three years ago. The larvae (immature beetles) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Emerald ash borers probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes from Asia. So far, they’ve killed 8-10 million trees in the Midwest, most in southeastern Michigan. As residents of Northern Illinois head east, there’s real concern that they could bring unwanted hitch-hikers home to infest the very common ash trees in this community.
SPRINGMAN TURNS 50
Springman Middle School celebrated its opening 50 years ago with assemblies Friday, culminating with a performance by staff members dressed like Elvis, singing songs from the 50’s. About 20,000 students have graduated from the school, originally known as Glenview Junior High. In 1960 it was renamed to honor John Springman, superintendent of District 34 from 1948-1970.
SAVE THE DATE
-- Look for members of Glenview’s finest on May 20 when policemen join in a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. They’ll be on top of the Dunkin Donuts at Lake and Milwaukee, waving to passers-by and encouraging donations inside.
-- Loyola Academy sponsors its first annual Rambler Run – a 5K fundraiser at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30 at its Glenview sports campus on Johns Drive. The event will feature live entertainment and food. The school expects 200-400 participants.
PIONEER PRESS UNVEILS NOVEL FATHER’S DAY COMPETITION
The Glenview Announcements and other North Shore weeklies are sponsoring a competition for fathers and sons who looked alike at a certain age. “Women, does your son look like your husband did when he was his age? Men, do you look at a photograph of your son and feel as if you are looking at a photo of you at a younger age?” the papers ask. “If so, you'll want to enter Pioneer Press' Father-Son Lookalike Contest. Send us photos of father and son and we'll choose three winners from among the entries.”
The winner will be sent to a local day spa for hair styling, a manicure, pedicure, sports facial and body massage. The second prize: a hammock and hammock stand. To enter, send photos along with your name, address, daytime phone number to Dad-Son Lookalike Contest, 3701 West Lake Ave., Glenview, IL 60026. Entries may also be e-mailed with the photos attached in a .jpg format to glenview@pioneerlocal.com. Include Father-Son Lookalike Contest in the subject line. Deadline for all entries is 5 p.m. Friday, June 3.
READERS WRITE
NB asks about a problem that the trustees ignore despite frequent public complaint: “I’m a local business owner and a bird watcher who walks along the canal on the east side of the shopping center off Willow, where Target and Michael’s are located. The litter is appalling. It obviously comes from the shopping center, and in addition to being unsightly, it’s dangerous to the wildlife. I have picked up some things myself, but it really needs a crew of people to go in there and get it all. Doesn’t the village have some sort of requirement for a shopping area like this to police their public mess? Perhaps Glenview should start a chapter of Keep America Beautiful, and put together groups of volunteers to help; but I still think that the shopping center tenants should be primarily responsible for keeping it clean. If Glenview doesn’t have a litter ordinance for businesses, you should! Also, when treating public grassy areas for weeds, corn gluten, a natural product, works wonders on broadleaf weeds, and is no danger to wildlife or children. There is no need to spread poison on public park areas!”
The Watch replies: While a record number of volunteers came out last weekend to clean the area in question, we suspect it will be littered again in a matter of weeks. Village officials ought to take responsibility for the Techny Basin, the community’s second largest nature preserve and a North Shore gem. Officials have asked managers of the shopping strip to try and control litter, but weekend workers collected about three dozens bags full of trash. Installing a fence to block blowing trash could be highly effective – a point illustrated by the construction site southwest of Techny. There, a chain link fence keeps plastic, paper and Styrofoam waste from making its way to the park and river.
DL was distraught to hear the consultants’ ideas for downtown Glenview: “All through the process the planners and planning committee members have used deception and confusion. There have been out and out lies, creative misstatements, cover ups and withholding of pertinent information. The insistence that there is no conspiracy and that each of these ‘small mistakes’ was not part of a larger strategy may be believed by some. They are not looking at the evidence and connecting the dots. There are hundreds of millions of dollars and empire building gratifications at stake, so why should the public expect a fair shake? They will ruin downtown and hurt existing businesses for their own agendas and profit.”
Bill Dose thinks it’s a mistake to add much more retail: “I wish they'd condemn almost everything on Waukegan Road and fill it in with creme de la creme condo and townhouse enclaves. We have way too much retail already. Get with it before it's too late. Waukegan Road can become a small scale Lake Shore Drive of the North Shore for people to retire to from their big family houses. There is no future for retail in Glenview or anywhere else on the North Shore. We are saturated!”
And WM is concerned about the height of buildings downtown: “I think it would be a huge mistake to relax the height restrictions, although a knowledgeable attorney friend of mine states that development will not fly if the height restrictions are too low. In visiting various villages in northern Illinois and some in Florida, I am convinced the village will have to provide parking if the downtown is ever going to be substantially enhanced. Previous village planners made mistakes in not allowing space for future needs.”
JAS responds to news of a suit by the family of a child struck and killed by a train at the Glenview Road crossing: “I understand what a terrible loss this is, but parents have to take responsibility. It looked to me like the child ran into the train. I just hate it when people take death as an opportunity to get rich quick. My prayers are with the little boy.”
Mr. A. was not surprised to read about the suit: “Did you expect anything else? Kids do stupid things. We were all there once. Makes me wonder how I got be this old with some of the stunts I pulled. Usually when the gates are down and cars and other people are stopped and waiting, it’s a good sign that trains are coming. What children need to be taught is that trains come in two different directions. I’d like to be on that jury.”
AB wonders where it will end: “Maybe we should also install physical barriers at the train stations themselves. How many people cross over the tracks when the warning bells are sounding? Just because a parent failed to teach his kid about the dangers of crossing when warning gates are down shouldn't open the floodgates for lawsuits. What if the child had crossed the street against a red light and was struck by a car? Would this parent argue that we should install some kind of physical barrier at pedestrian walks?”
Ib Jorgensen insists there is no need for a larger library: “We do not need a new, bigger library in Glenview. The building should be maintained by all means, but let’s save millions of dollars in taxes for something more important, like Glenview downtown projects. I recently read an article that began this way: ‘Students attending the University of Texas at Austin will find something missing from the undergraduate library this fall. By mid-July, the university says, almost all of the library's 90,000 volumes will be dispersed to other university collections to clear space for a 24-hour electronic information commons, a fast-spreading phenomenon that is transforming research and study on campuses around the country. . . Such digital learning laboratories, staffed with Internet-expert librarians, teachers and technicians, have been advancing on traditional college libraries since appearing at the University of Southern California in 1994. As more texts become accessible online, libraries have been moving lesser-used materials to storage.’”
MJ writes about Karen Rolloff’s reluctant retirement as president of the district 30 school board: “Twelve years on the board and she thinks change is not needed? Please. Why is someone that has no children in the district still there?”
SB asks for an accident update: “I had the misfortune to drive by the horrific accident at Chestnut and Waukegan this morning. Some people at work heard on the radio that no one was injured in it, but I find that very hard to believe. The one car was completely crushed under a large truck. I don't see how the driver could have survived. Have you heard anything about it?”
The Watch replies: Police Chief Bill Fitzpatrick agrees the aftermath of that accident looked pretty scary, but he says the driver of the crushed car, Dennis Arnold, was lucky to be driving a Mercedes. The door and window frame actually withstood the weight of the Isuzu truck that rolled onto the vehicle after it was hit by an uninsured driver. Those involved in the crash really did walk away.
SH asks about limits on new construction in existing neighborhoods: “Have you driven down Brandon Road lately? This formerly quiet street in Glen Oak Acres has three houses in a row that are being torn down, and new homes are being built by three separate builders. The amount of traffic and noise on the street is unbelievable. I have trouble backing out of the driveway of my parents' home! Does Glenview have any restrictions on this sort of issue? I know Evanston and Wilmette have had tear-down ordinances. It seems pretty unreal to allow three homes in a row to go down at the same time.”
The Watch replies: While Glenview has an ordinance that restricts the size of new homes relative to their lots, there are no limits on how many homes can be built on a given street. There are, however, limits on when construction crews can work. Legal hours should be posted at each site. If the crews start earlier or work later, call the cops!
CZ asks what’s up at Sleepy Hollow Park: "Since March, the play area has been fenced and torn up. All the equipment, swings, climbing gym, tower, have been removed. It's a shame the play area has been closed through spring break, when the weather was nice. What's the problem?"
The Watch replies: Glenview’s park district is renovating the playground and says work will be done in June. Facilities chief Fred Gullen says the district routinely monitors the condition of playground equipment and lets the board know when it needs to be replaced. If readers have concerns about their neighborhood facilities, they can e-mail him at fredgullen@gpdist.org .
YOUR TURN: Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60026. 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.