HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/2003 EDC minutes
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall
Thursday, November 6, 2003
8:00 a.m.
The meeting of the Economic Development Commission (EDe) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held on
Thursday, November 6,2003, in the second floor conference room of Village Hall, 100 South Emerson Street,
Mount Prospect, Illinois.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Norm Kurtz called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Commissioners John Arndt, Pat Biedar, Bruce
Gillilan, David Lindgren, Ben Trapani and Tom Zander were present. Also present were Bill Cooney, Director
of Community Development, and Mike Jacobs, Deputy Director of Community Development.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the August 7,2003 meeting were reviewed and approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Status Update
Mr. Cooney provided a general overview of economic activity in the Village. He stated that demolition of the
Wards and J. C. Penney Buildings at the Randhurst Shopping Center were underway. He stated that Kohl's
had moved to their new location at Rte. 83 and Dempster and that their former Randhurst facility would be
demolished in the upcoming months. He stated that Costco was expecting to complete construction and
occupy their facility by August/September of 2004. In addition, Urban has been negotiating with several
prospective restaurants to occupy the new space that will be constructed at the southwest portion of the
property. He stated Jewel Foods was in for a service station/convenience store outlot in front oftheir existing
facility. He stated staff was opposed to this proposal because they did not feel it was an appropriate use at the
primary entrance of a retail shopping center.
Mr. Cooney also indicated that he would be making a presentation to the Kensington Business Association at
their November 18 meeting. He stated that the Chamber of Commerce has been working with representatives
in the Kensington Business Center to reorganize the Association to ensure that the businesses are properly
represented. He stated since OPUS completed their last parcel in this development that the Association has
basically been disbanded. The last vacant parcel in the Kensington Business Center was being developed by
A. W. Zengeler. He stated they are constructing a 60,000 sq. ft. facility for their professional uniform cleaning
operation.
Mr. Cooney stated there are several projects underway in the downtown area. He indicated the Village's
Parking Deck was nearly complete and could be ready for occupancy by the end of the year. The Village Hall
was ahead of schedule with a possible occupancy by July of2004. The Library had erected the steel and was
proceeding with the second story addition. They are anticipating a late fall occupancy of2004. He stated that
several developers have expressed an interest to redevelop properties along Northwest Highway frontage east
of the downtown. He indicated there were several challenges given the dimensions of the property but that it
was a positive sign that the private sector was interested in developing some of these parcels. Mr. Cooney then
displayed a site plan for the 2004 Streetscape Program which detailed the Village HalllLibrary Block and the
west side of Main Street. There was general discussion about the proposed improvements and some concerns
raised by Chairman Kurtz about pedestrian movement across Rte. 83 and Central Rd. Mr. Cooney stated that
staff would continue to look at ways to improve pedestrian movement throughout the downtown to encourage
the use of the parking structure by patrons of surrounding businesses. Mr. Cooney then indicated that the
Mayor had completed his appointments for the Strategic Downtown Committee. The committee would be
meeting within the next few weeks and hoped to complete its efforts by the end of January.
Economic Development Commission
November 6, 2003 Minutes
Page 2
Mr. Cooney indicated there were several other projects underway in the Village. He stated the Fifth Third
Bank on Rand Road was nearly complete and would be open for business in November. The Liberty Square
Townhomes on Rand Road were under construction with occupancy expected by Spring of '04. The Pin Oak
Subdivision had been tentatively approved by the Village on River Road. The development would provide for
18 single-family lots fronting on Pin Oak Drive and a new cul-de-sac off of River Road. Skil-Bosch had
completed its move to their Central Road facility. They are employing over 700 individuals at this location.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
There was no Chairman's report.
ADJOURNMENT
The Committee agreed to hold their next meeting on February 5, 2004. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00
a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William J. Cooney, Jr., AICP
Director of Community Development
WJC:bhs