Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/05/2000 EDC minutes MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall Thursday, October 5, 2000 8:00 a.m. The meeting of the Economic Development Comnnssion (EDC) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held on Thursday, October 5, 2000, in the second floor conference room of Village Hall, 100 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER chamUan Norm Kurtz called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Commissioners Bruce Gillilan, David Lindgren, and Ben Trapain were present. ComUnssioner John Amdt, Pat Biedar and Kevin Davies were absent. Also present were Mayor Gerald L. Farley, William J. Cooney, Director of Community Development, and Leanne Redden, Director of Transportation for the Village of Schaumburg. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the August 10, 2000 meeting were reviewed and approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Farley introduced Leanne Redden, Director of Transportation for the Village of Schanmburg, and indicated that she would provide an overview of the feasibility study relating to a possible light-rail line along the Northwest Tollway. Mayor Farley indicated that this item had been discussed by several local mayors and that he felt it would be beneficial for the Economic Development Commission to review this matter and be aware of it as discussions continue. He stated that, ultimately, he believed that the Village would be asked to participate financially in the further study of this proposal and uItimately in the possible construction of such a system. Ms. Redden explained that the City of Schaumburg has been working ~vith the cities of Hoffman Estates, Roliing Meadows and Elk Grove for several years now and has been reviewing ways of improving the overall traffic network in the Northwest Corridor. She stated that this group discussion began primarily because of concerns of local businesses and their inability to recruit employees. She stated that several businesses had contacted Schanmburg's Mayor indicating that employees were unable to go to and from work in a cost effective, convenient manner. She said this is especially true of businesses that have non-peak time hours as opposed to those that employ lower-paid individuals. Ms. Redden shared a Power Point slide presentation to the members for their review. She indicated that the feasibility study had been completed and that there were strong indications that there was a great demand for additional transportation opportunities. She stated that the group's goal was to have a final plan approved in the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. She indicated it was very miportant that this project be incorporated in the 2030 plan in order for the northwest region to have a chance of obtaining federal funding for the project. She stated that it was understood that this is a tong-term project but that, as the region grows, this will be a critical component of the Northwest Suburban's economic success. She stated that the study found that jobs will grow by nearly 50% over the next twenty years and that the roadway capacities would be severely strained. The Commission discussed the scope of the project in great detail and had general concurrence that it was an issue worth exploring by the Village. The Mayor indicated that he was not looking for any formal motion or recommendation fi.om the Economic Development Commission at th/s time, but it would be very beneficial for conomic Development Commission August 10, 2000 Minutes Page 2 the EDC to be aware that this was being discussed so they can provide future input. EDC members agreed that this was an item they would like to discuss further at future meetings and that they generally support the concept of reviewing other transportation opportunities. The Mayor thanked Ms. Redden for her presentation and indicated the Village's desire to work with the group into the future. OLD BUSINESS Status Update Mr. Cooney provided an update on various development projects throughout the town. He indicated that the AutoBam car dealership would be demolishing their existing retail showroom and constructing a new facility. He stated that construction could start as early as the end of October. He stated that the Egg Factory Pancake House would be occupying the former East Side Mario site by the beginning of next year. He stated the CVS Pharmacy development was underway and the steel frame for the building had been constructed. He stated that the Village Board had denied the request to rezone the former Color Tile property for a retail center on Rend Road, across from Wal-Mart. In addition, Mr. Cooney indicated that there was a hotel operator interested in the southeast comer of Busse and Dempster Roads. The Dumas Walker's restaurant would be converted to a Freddy's Road House facility and should be open for business by the end of the year. In addition, he indicated the K-Mart at Dempster and 83 would be closing in November and staff was currently working with the property owner to fred a tenant for this facility. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT There was no Chairman's Report. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, William J., Cooney, Jr., AICP Director of Community Development