River Forest officials say they are pleased with the response from residents to their call for neighborhood dialogues to discuss economic development in the village as they kick off the program this week.
Under the program, village residents will host small group conversations that will include 10 to 15 of their neighbors in their homes.
“People in River Forest want solutions,” Village President Cathy Adduci said. “People don’t want controversy.
“We know what the concerns are. What are the solutions? What can we do moving forward?”
She said officials are targeting the south end of the village, specifically in the Madison Street and Lake Street corridors.
“The village understands there may be questions and ideas about future economic development,” Adduci said in a village e-newsletter last month announcing the program. “Residents living near the Madison Street and Lake Street corridors may have a specific interest in this topic due to their proximity to commercial activity.
“The goal is for the Village to develop a commonsense path forward regarding future development needs and overall planning, with weigh-in from residents.”
Leading the project is Rick Jasculca, owner of Chicago-based JT Strategic Communications, a public affairs firm, who has lived in the village for almost 50 years and has done work for the village in the past.
“There’s a lot of concern about economic development,” he said. “We want to help the village find a pathway to the future.”
Village Administrator Matt Walsh said he is not aware of any other municipality using a similar approach.
“We’re targeting smaller groups because that makes it easier to get input,” he said. “We felt prioritizing meeting in homes would work best.”
Jessica Spencer, assistant village administrator, said officials have received “an excellent response” to the request for residents to serve as hosts for the dialogues. Residents interested in hosting or attending a session are asked to contact her by email at jspencer@vrf.us.
“We’re very pleased with the engagement from the residents,” she said. “We are eager to begin.”
Walsh said “several” sessions are being finalized and officials are open to scheduling more.
Jasculca said James Chase and Nell Brennan of JT Strategic Communications will assist. Chase is a vice president.
‘It will be a combination,” Jasculca said regarding facilitating the dialogues. “He and I will be taking turns.”
Adduci said Walsh and Spencer will attend the dialogues but not any elected officials.
“River Forest is a great community,” she said. “This is exciting.”