CEMENT over parking spots? WHY? We NEED flexibility for the future. NOT more concrete.

Cement over more public parking spots and bollards still in the works:

The Village's July/August letter reads:

"I'd like to provide an update on the flexible public gathering space planned for our downtown....

After reviewing the alternatives, the Village Board identified a concept featuring removable bollards as its preferred direction and authorized the preparation of detailed plans for further review and approval. The proposed improvements are intended to showcase our downtown as a vibrant community gathering place, support local businesses, preserve the Village's unique character, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.

The removable bollards provide maximum flexibility, allowing future Village Boards to determine when and how the space is used for seasonal events, outdoor dining, or other community activities! Permanent outdoor dining areas will improve pedestrian safety, enhance ADA accessibility, and create a more welcoming streetscape while maintaining access when needed.

The Village Board has also carefully considered feedback from residents and remains committed to preserving the historic character of the downtown while creating a flexible public space that can serve future generations.

From a fiscal perspective, the Downtown TIF was established to strengthen our business district, encourage private investment, and grow the Village's long-term tax base. Over the years, TIF funds have supported storefront improvements and other investments. This project represents the next step by creating additional opportunities for adjacent businesses and encouraging continued economic vitality."

WHY does permanently cementing over more public storefront parking spaces (for dining) strengthen the business district? We need parking, especially in WINTER, to spend money downtown. This step will only hurt our shops and exacerbate the parking shortage that was created when this board poured permanent cement in front of Creperie, Wasabi and Thassos. And are removable bollards just a vanity project? Bollards won't protect kids from running right through them into the traffic and bollards won't protect a car at a higher speed from breaching our closed space. Every other suburb, including Hinsdale, simply uses large trucks to block entrances to keep residents safe inside events. 

Do these moves make sense or is this just a way to spend downtown TIF money on something? Not every TIF dollar needs to be spent, because it ultimately goes back into the Village's general fund and would be used for other Village projects.

This board should be spending TIF money to removing the concrete in front of Creperie so that the space can be used all year round in a flexible manner between dining and parking. This is what every other suburb does. We are no different. In fact, Clarendon Hills needs flexibility even MORE than our larger neighboring train villages. Pouring more cement over more parking spots is NOT a solution. It will only add to the parking problem and we are about to need maximum flexibility when our long-awaited Sparrow Coffee finally opens. WHY would we pour cement over valuable parking spots now? Spend the money to maximize the flexibility of our public spaces. Remove the cement. Purchase better temporary dining barriers for Il Mio. Stop pouring permanent cement.

ATTEND next Village Board meeting on Monday July 20 at 6:30pm to see the latest plan. Push for flexibility. No permanent cement over public parking spots or over our critical slip-lane.