Election Issues: Downers Grove Council Candidates on Economic Development

On March 4, Patch published its 2013 Downers Grove Council Election Hub, a complete guide to the April 9 consolidated election in the village of Downers Grove. There you'll find voter information, recent election news and complete candidate biographies.

Before voters head to the polls, Patch wants to give readers an opportunity to compare where candidates for the village council stand on key issues. 

What type of economic development would you like to see in Downers Grove over the next four years?

Bob Barnett

It is critical that Downers Grove continue to focus on a wide variety of economic development and redevelopment. Commercial, industrial and residential areas are all important and can build upon one another to create a stronger, more vibrant and more sustainable Village.

A majority of the revenue used to provide the basic municipal services we all expect and depend upon does not come from residential property taxes. Commercial redevelopment opportunities along the corridor between I-88 and Butterfield or 63rd and Woodward or 75th and Main should be pursued. Expansion of Class A office space similar to Highland Landmark or Esplanade is important in maintaining the Village reputation as a desirable place for business to locate and provides job opportunities.

With the recent opening of the Belmont Underpass and the surrounding project work nearing completion, Ellsworth Industrial Park has an opportunity to play an important role in defining the economy of Downers Grove. Helping both industrial and office environments flourish ensures we have the necessary variety of jobs to support our community.

Economic development necessarily requires continuous effort. Daily, we compete with surrounding communities and even other states to draw residents and businesses to our Village. And when we succeed as we have for the last several years, we provide sales tax and commercial property tax revenues which help support those Village services we all depend on.

We need to maintain and strengthen the Villages relationship with our Economic Development Corporation and make every effort to support their mission.

Marilyn J. Schnell

By establishing the Economic Development Corporation, the village has shown its commitment to a climate where business will thrive while providing needed services to our residents. Even in uncertain times our community has been attractive and has created a climate for new and old businesses to flourish. From first rate universities such as Midwestern and DeVry, to high-end car dealerships, to more mundane but necessary services for our residents, the economic climate in our community has appeared favorable. We need to foster this climate so that future development (and the related tax revenues) will flow into our community. We must also work with Downtown Management Corporation to ensure a mix of business in our downtown which attracts residents and visitors alike. As a council we can support the EDC in many ways to help promote our community as a great place to live, work and play.

David S. Olsen

As Downers Grove does not have many undeveloped properties, economic development must necessarily focus on retaining existing businesses as well as redeveloping current business and commercial properties. It is vital for Village government to work collaboratively with businesses to encourage developments which enhance the attractiveness of our community and broaden our sales tax base without adversely impacting neighborhood properties.

Susan Walaszek

Over the next four years, Downers Grove should focus on the following economic development issues:

• Infrastructure and capital improvement
  • Continued improvements to sewers, streets and sidewalks
  • A new Village Hall and Police Department building or alternative
• Attract, expand and retain business 
  • Continued implementation of the OASIS program
  • Concentrated development along Ogden Avenue, 63rd Street and Woodward Avenue, and the Fairview Train Station
  • Increased retail establishments throughout Downers Grove
  • Streamlined zoning and permit processes to promote efficiency and business growth
• Quality of life initiatives
  • Development of a senior living facility
  • Ongoing partnerships with community organizations to support and coordinate community events
  • Continued focus on conserving energy resources, recycling and preserving the Village’s trees and environment

Don Jankowski

Auto dealers generate significant sales tax revenue for the Village, and we have room for a couple more dealers along Ogden Avenue. But the real key to success is ensuring that we are broad and strategic in bringing businesses into the community. During the Great Recession, we saw a sharp decline in sales tax from auto dealers, where other sources of revenue, such as Class A office buildings, continued to pay property tax. The Village of Downers Grove Comprehensive Plan identifies five key focus areas that are economic generators for the Village: Belmont/Ellsworth, Downtown, Butterfield, Ogden and Fairview.
The plan drills down to identify catalyst sites within each focus area, where redevelopment would have a positive catalytic impact of the surrounding area. The catalyst idea is not a new one—anywhere that we can encourage/incentivize redevelopment through the tools at our disposal to revitalize properties, it can have a snowball effect with other businesses "jumping on the bandwagon." So whether we are talking about Class A office buildings, brick and mortar retailers, specialty shops, restaurants etc., we need to be strategic about creating incentives for catalyst sites, and that will make future economic development less of a challenge. It is in our best interest to be broad in encouraging development across all key focus areas, as a variety of businesses strengthen and diversify the tax base.

Greg Hosé

Economic development is an organic process that needs to be guided by a comprehensive vision for our future. By working to maintain the unique character of Downers Grove as part of that guide, we will ensure growth that benefits both our residents and business community. The Council should collaborate with the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Management Corporation over the next four years to develop a single strategic plan for the economic development of the Village toward which we can all work.

Economic development also means ensuring our Village is well run, focused on solving problems, and properly budgeted to isolate yet another source of uncertainty for prospective businesses. Our plan should include specific business and infrastructure development targets for each major commercial transit corridor and zone. By doing so,we will help set Downers Grove apart as a smart place to start or expand a business.

The Western Suburbs, especially the other established rail line communities, are highly competitive in attracting and retaining businesses. Every village, including our own,exercises the same sets of complicated tax incentives, subsidies, and perks in their efforts to attract new businesses. In a market where the primary determinate is reduced to price, the highest (or lowest) bidder usually wins. We need Downers Grove to do more than say it is business friendly or rely on tax gimmicks for businesses willing to locate or expand in the Village. Having a detailed, integrated business development plan will be a step in the right direction. In all cases, my priorities are to ensure that future development be well planned, compatible with the comprehensive plan, fiscally sustainable, and respect the integrity of existing neighborhoods and their residents.

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