A Better Winnetka

The Winnetka Talk published a Q&A with Vicki Apatoff in its January 3 edition about her experience on the bus tour of mixed-use developments (first-floor retail and upper floor residential) in nearby suburbs. The purpose of the tour with village officials was to gather ideas for development of the Winnetka Post Office site.

Why did you go on this tour?
Most Winnetkans do not realize the Village is considering spending significant taxpayer dollars to subsidize private development on publicly owned property.  At full capacity, using figures provided by the Village, it would take between 35- 88 years before any of the recommended projects broke even.  Given that Winnetka has approximately 29 empty retail stores and landlords are requesting zoning variances to put non-sales tax revenue generating tenants in those empty spots, it is unrealistic and fiscally irresponsible to add more. Although concerned residents have requested documentation to prove this is a financially viable project for the Village to pursue, none has been forthcoming.  

What did you learn from the tour?
The tour confirmed our worst fears. It was two weeks before Christmas on a sunny Saturday morning.  Although retail activity should have been at its peak, the four projects seemed deserted.  The stores were mostly real estate firms, banks, and nail salons.  As Trustee Jessica Tucker said at the 12/17 Village meeting, “I couldn’t wait to get back to Winnetka”.  We saw what we don’t want in Winnetka:  Looming 4-story buildings that blocked the sunlight and “for lease” and “for sale” signs plastered over many of the windows.  The old retail sections across from the new developments looked dreary and uninviting.  

What suburb showcased what might work on the PO site?
We toured a brand new library in DesPlaines where the children and teen’s section occupies an entire floor. The teen section of the Winnetka library is a carousel of paperback books in the foyer perched in front of the bathrooms.  Communities such as Glenview and Highland Park are expanding or building new libraries. The PO space may provide the perfect opportunity for Winnetkans to discuss what our library needs to meet the present and future needs of its residents.

What did you contribute to the tour?
It has become obvious we can do better than build a fast food restaurant or chain store at the corner of Chestnut and Elm. We can do something the entire community could get excited about, serve a higher municipal purpose and honor Winnetka’s long legacy of excellence. The original Bennett Plan called for a Civic Complex that mirrors Village Hall.  We will still need a place to mail packages.  The library needs renovation but is severely limited in its current location.  With the money the Village would spend on private development and the money the library needs to do a proper renovation, Winnetka could build a Civic Complex that would incorporate both.  Inevitably, Winnetkans will be called upon to fund this project. They deserve the right to look at a Civic Complex option in detail before anything else is done with the site.  This issue will be addressed at the January 8 meeting at Village Hall.  For more information, visit www.abetterwinnetka.org.