A new commission will be the go-to group to help spur economic development in River Forest.
Four months after forming an ad-hoc committee, village trustees Monday approved the economic development commission, a new permanent panel designed to work to attract and retain business and foster development in the community’s commercial corridors.
The panel’s work will be evaluated after one year to assess if it is on track.
The panel, which was on the top of Village President Catherine Adduci’s agenda since before her election last spring, will become River Forest’s de-facto economic development department.
Adduci was pleased with what the ad-hoc committee drew up. “They (the ad-hoc committee members) were thoughtful and conscientious….There is no downside to our community; there’s only an upside.”
The seven-member panel will be advisory. Staff will be ex-officio members. A final decision on any project will be up to the village board.
The ad-hoc group had been working since June to set out the new panel’s responsibilities. That portfolio is extensive. It will:
Advise the village board on the economic and community impact of potential
developments including those involving changes in land use, use of vacant property and adaptive reuse of existing structures.
Identify and assess underutilized properties to develop strategies for their highest and best use.
Encourage and support development within the village in conjunction with existing corridor plans, land uses, and the village’s development goals.
Investigate and recommend incentives to facilitate economic growth.
Maintain relationships with existing businesses and make recommendations to retain, enhance and market.
Receive direction from the village board and provide feedback and recommendations as directed.
Coordinate economic development outreach to surrounding units of local government.
A template that will be used for crafting projects related to economic development will be the Corridor Study. This document outlines the village’s long-range plan for improvement, redevelopment, beautification and overall revitalization of business corridors on Madison Street, North Avenue and Harlem Avenue. This plan also establishes a foundation for future decision-making regarding land use and development, circulation and access and overall beautification within the corridors, according to the report, done by Houseal Lavigne Associates of Chicago.
Commission members will be appointed next month. Unlike all other village boards and commissions, the economic development committee’s membership will not be restricted to River Forest residents. Trustee Susan Conti noted that this would allow business owners who might not live in town to bring their expertise to the panel.
Allowing for that flexibility also would allow for someone from the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce to be on the panel. In a recent interview, Adduci said she wanted to improve the relationship with the chamber and saw that organization as being vital in helping to spur retail growth.
Cathy Yen, the chamber’s executive director, was excited about the commission’s formation. “Its creation sends a strong signal to the business community. It says that River Forest is serious about presenting a long-term vision for its economy, and it is focused and interested in attracting the necessary development. It also creates a necessary point of contact for new initiatives,” Yen told trustees Monday.
New initiatives or not, not restricting membership to River Forest residents drew a reaction from Trustee Carmela Cordini, who also expressed concerns that the commission would have overlapping responsibilities with staff, the village’s own development review board, plan commission and zoning board of appeals.
Conti, who chaired the ad-hoc committee, reassured trustees that the lines were carefully delineated.
Trustee Tom Cargie noted that he was more concerned about ensuring collaboration.
“They all work together,” he said. “This suggests collaboration. It will help bring different perspectives and help us make a more informed decision. It will make us better decision makers.”
With economic challenges facing River Forest, the committee’s work will be necessary, Al Popowits, a resident, told trustees.
“They (economic challenges) must be addressed in a pro-active manner,” he said. “This would enhance the business community in River Forest.”
Residents interested in volunteering for this commission are encouraged to go http://vrf.us/government/boards-a-commissions.