About 100 residents turned out recently for the first public hearing on a large development proposal that would bring the first major department store to downtown Highland Park.
A representative of the proposed Renaissance Place told the Plan Commission that the downtown development would be “a confirmation of community planning.”
The proposal, which consists of two four-story buildings with underground parking and a 50,000-square-foot Saks Fifth Avenue store, would cover most of the block south of Elm Place between Green Bay Road and 2nd Street.
Sanford Stein, the developers’ attorney, told the commission that the proposal fits in with the city’s master plan.
He said developments such as Renaissance Place are needed to keep the area vibrant.
“Everyone wants what we have,” said Stein, of Highland Park. “We won’t be unique much longer.”
Stein distinguished the project’s mixture of apartments, small offices, restaurants, a movie theater and stores from what he termed as “conventional suburban development,” which he said lacks forethought and cohesion.
Plan Commission Chairwoman Janet Swartz said hearings would continue until at least March.
