Commuter trains aren’t the only rumblings heard through downtown Palatine since village officials unveiled conceptual drawings for its $44 million redevelopment project.
Angst among merchants and homeowners over the future of small businesses and historic buildings downtown is likely to build as the village prepares to reveal a preliminary design plan in May.
Nancy Martino, association president, said village officials have been trying to work with longtime business owners on development plans. The Towne Square Business Association, she said, is putting together a marketing campaign to help people understand the process better.
One concern of the group is so-called big box stores, operated by major retail chains.
“We will continue to fight against the big boxes,” she said, adding that anxiety over the impending changes can be a good thing.
“It at least gets people out there and they’re participating,” she said.
About 175 downtown business owners, residents and developers were invited to review 16 design concepts for the downtown area by the Lakota Group, a Chicago-based planning and architectural firm.
Planners divided the area into four quadrants showing varying degrees of change, from modest — facade facelifts — to dramatic — razing blocks and starting over.
Mayor Rita Mullins says the plans are far from final.
“The word to use is `possibility,’ ” Mullins said. “Even if we get a design, you have to put it out there to the developers and they have to come back and say yes.”
The mood after the most recent meeting was one of anticipation and excitement.
Still, Village Manager Michael Cassady said he and his staff have been answering calls trying to educate people and quell concerns.
News that the Village Council authorized Cassady to negotiate a deal with the Starbucks retail chain at the new Metra station caused a stir, especially at the Whistle Stop Cafe, a coffee shop directly across from the new train site at Smith and Wood Streets.
Mary Beth Silver, co-owner of the cafe with Jan Cochran, said she was optimistic until learning of the Starbucks deal.
“This was like, wow, a slap in the face,” Silver said. “There’s really a feeling of mistrust. They were making it look like everybody was included, when they’re not.”
Silver said she and Cochran submitted a proposal for a coffee shop at the station, but it was not accepted. Groundbreaking for the new station is slated for May.
Cassady, the village manager, said the Starbucks plan shows Palatine can attract larger chains.
“We’ve actually heard in other public meetings that some downtown Palatine businesses would like to see a Starbucks come into this facility because of the positive impact it may have on their business,” he said. “Knowing the business the Whistle Stop enjoys right now, I fully expect both businesses to continue to grow and be strong.”
The village established a $44 million tax-increment financing (TIF) district for downtown in December. The TIF guarantees private investors that the village will support their investments by requiring that all new property tax revenue generated in the TIF district will be spent there to fuel the commercial development.
Attitudes about the project vary. Lisa Bellanca is owner of the Lamplighter Inn, a bar at the corner of Wilson and Bothwell Streets. The building, which dates to 1860, didn’t appear on two of the potential design sketches she reviewed.
Still, Bellanca said it was too early to start fretting. “I have a wait-and-see attitude,” she said.
Rudy Gonzalez, owner of Nuevo Mexico grocery, which has been at Wilson and Bothwell for 21 years, said he can’t afford to relocate. “I don’t know what kind of choice I’m going to be having,” said Gonzalez, 46.
