Candidate Response: Mayor, Dick Sayad

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1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

No, I do not support that location as a potential site for a new police station. Currently, I do not formally support any one location as the host site. It’s my inclination to not have to demolish any buildings or relocate any businesses to construct a new police station. That is why I believe the city needs to seriously consider the surface parking lot located at the southeast corner of Prairie & Graceland Ave. This location is directly within our downtown area with excellent access streets and it would not require the removal of any buildings or businesses.

The current economic conditions would prohibit any immediate plans for a new police station. Therefore, I would suggest that the city consider leasing available office space in the downtown area to accommodate some city services. This would allow us to free up office space at City Hall for the police department by moving some secondary city services into the leased office space in the downtown area. It would also allow our city the needed time to stabilize our finances and not overreach financially in an attempt to build a new police station in the midst of this economic crisis.


2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

The Des Plaines Theater is absolutely essential to the success of our downtown and is also essential to my plan to revitalize the downtown area. Our theater is a dormant engine for our downtown area that would draw hundreds of people nightly and daily on the weekends. It would allow our secondary businesses like restaurants, ice cream parlors, coffee shops, bars and other businesses to feed off of the customer traffic created by the theater. Because we are without an active and vibrant theater our downtown area there is little or no nighttime activity in our downtown.

Upon taking office, I plan to meet with several theater owners in other suburban communities to learn what strategies of success they have used as well as the pitfalls. One of the first meetings I will target will be with the Johnson family of Classic Cinemas based in Downers Grove. In my research, I found that the Johnson family has a very good track record in the industry operating 13 theaters in 12 communities. Their theaters occupy historical buildings many of which were in disrepair so they are very knowledgeable in the restoration and preservation aspect which is critical to the Des Plaines Theater. I believe working with the current owner and bringing in the expertise of others in the theater industry we can create the needed synergy to get the Des Plaines Theater revitalization project underway.


3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

Let’s start with what I can do immediately as Mayor. In my first week in office, I will take a walking tour of the downtown area with all of my department heads and I will personally point out everything that is not up to the standards for our city (and my list is long). I will make this my personal project to physically transform this area within weeks of taking office. Here are several items from the city’s side that I will have executed immediately:

• Order the installation of multi-paper newspaper boxes to cut down on the many unsightly individual newspaper boxes that clutter our downtown area.
• Reduce all unnecessary extra signage in the downtown area.
• Improve the landscaping program for the downtown area.
• Require daily clean-ups of trash and debris; and twice a month power washing of sidewalks and other public areas.
• Regular maintenance to all public right of ways and public areas including repair, replacement, painting, etc.
• Have property owners beautify their vacant storefronts by decorating their windows with tasteful photos & designs. Eliminating the “gutted and empty” appearance of the vacant retail spaces.
• Parkway Tree Replacement Survey of all missing, dead and highly damaged trees located along the parkway.
• Survey the operational level and lighting quality of all public lighting.
• Advise property owners to take the immediate steps to keep their property clean and presentable where necessary.

Long-term, I plan to introduce an ordinance for stronger Design Guidelines for all of our business districts, retail corridors and downtown area. We will incorporate one common design theme for the downtown area that all property owners and developers will have to conform with. We will set higher standards in building design, facades, building materials, landscaping, parking, signage, etc. Our city has allowed too much latitude with developers and property owners over the last 40 years and the negative results are too numerous. We should take the example of other surrounding communities that have been able to maintain their original architectural integrity while still being able to successfully incorporate new development into the existing character of their community. This will be the formula I will have our city administration apply.

For Metropolitan Square and the other businesses in the downtown area I will initiate a Customers Survey where the businesses will collect customer data (through zip codes and other means) to identify where their customers reside and the community percentage breakdown of their customer base. Analyzing this data will allow the city and the businesses to work cooperatively in our marketing and advertising strategies. Will we need to market a “Shop Local” or “Made in Des Plaines” campaign? Or, will we have to reach outside our city limits to improve our customer base? This data is critical to any strategic business initiatives by the city.

I will meet with property owners and landlords to discuss market conditions for business real estate in the downtown area. We need to collect data on the lease rates for newer construction (strip centers) retail space and older (individual buildings) retail space. We need to study retention numbers across the board. We need to create a list of their business tenants for the past ten years so we can identify what types of businesses are succeeding and what types are not making it downtown. The three primary business areas we need to measure are: retail, food service and general services.

I’m aware that the current city council cut out funding for the Façade Program which I believe is a critical tool in our plan for the revitalization of the downtown area. Without it, we cannot achieve our goal of recreating an attractive business district for not only residents and customers but for potential businesses looking to Des Plaines as a potential location. As Mayor, I will re-examine this issue and restore funding to the Façade Program.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

I most definitely support a Heritage Commission and a preservation ordinance which I will tie directly to my Design Guidelines ordinance. There is a common synergy between those two ordinances and together they will provide the necessary framework to preserve and improve the aesthetics and character of our city.

5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

According to the official website of the National Register of Historic Places, the Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground is the only registered location in Des Plaines. If this is accurate, that is not acceptable considering the numerous worthy candidates we have in our community. I will strongly pursue this initiative. Over the last 40 years, Des Plaines has lost many valuable jewels of the community and this initiative needs to be an integral part of our city’s comprehensive plan. As Mayor, you have my commitment.

Candidate Response: First Ward, Eugene Fregetto

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1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

There are several important aspects to this questions:
1. I do not believe that the police department should be moved to the other end of the block.
2. I am impressed with the present owner of the Choo Choo and how she has brought business back to that restaurant along with a lot of treasured memories. I will support the community’s desire to retain the Choo Choo.

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

I was very disappointed that the city did not take the opportunity to buy the Des Plaines Theater, because it has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity in the downtown area. I need more particulars regarding the theater that is in the Masonic Temple building, but I believe that Des Plaines has a lot of artistic talent and providing an environment that is artist-friendly could also attract more activity downtown. Could Des Plaines become the center for artists in the Northwest suburbs?

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

The answer to this question will come from both the residents of Des Plaines and the business owners. I will openly and aggressively seek input from both residents and business owners, especially the retailers who are running successful businesses downtown. If we all work together, I’m confident we will create a very attractive downtown as well as ideas for the development of our other retail areas. Consequently, I do not have any preconceived notions of any specific development ideas other than retention of the four businesses as stated above. Instead, I remain open to the ideas and recommendations of residents and business owners, I will use my skills to express those ideas and recommendations in both written and verbal form to other council members and to city officials. My only agenda item it to help residents and businesses create a downtown area that they will be proud of.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

In general, yes. However, I will critically examine any proposal to create a new commission and/or ordinance. Creating new organizations and new laws are the most important duties of elected officials. Conversely, I will support every effort to “identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historical resources.” If creating a commission and passing an ordinance is the best way to accomplish those goals, then I would support both initiatives.

5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

Yes.

Candidate Response: Fifth Ward, Daniel P. Winiecki

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1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

I do not believe that the corner of Miner & Lee which is the site of the Choo Choo Restaurant and the Masonic Temple Building is a good place to build the new police station. I have eaten there several times with my family & friends and it should stay right where it’s at. If Des Plaines decides to move that building to another location it will not be the same and probably lose customers. This will be another mistake that Des Plaines will make. The Choo Choo is a landmark in Des Plaines and a lot of people from other towns visit Des Plaines to eat there.

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

We need a theatre in Des Plaines and my wife used to go there when she was a teenager. It can attract residents from within our town and also outside of Des Plaines. It needs to be cleaned up but also preserved. I have asked residents and teenagers what the theater needs and the two main concerns was the parking for the theater and it needs to be cleaned up.

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

Downtown Des Plaines is missing this Hometown Feeling. I would compare it to the way Downtown Evanston is. We should have a café where you can go and sit outside with a cup of coffee, shops where you can walk up and down the street, restaurants and a theater. We need specific stores in Downtown Des Plaines to make it more attractive and more like a meet & greet. If we look at what is there right now, is there anybody that would come to downtown Des Plaines. Also parking in Downtown Des Plaines.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

I do support a Heritage Commission so we can protect some of Des Plaines historic properties.

This would be something a lot of residents could look back on along with future generations. One prime example would be the McDonalds.


5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

I do support listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines.

Candidate Response: Third Ward, Matthew Bogusz

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1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

I strongly believe that a much more appropriate location can be found for a new police station. We cannot push out successful businesses or historic buildings from our main thoroughfares. Further, this is not at all what TIF districts are created to accomplish, and should be reserved instead for attracting prosperous, tax-paying retailers. As alderman, I will work to find a location that keeps the city safer while preserving the integrity of our downtown.

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

The Des Plaines Theater is a monument to Des Plaines' history and could be an incredible force for bringing more shoppers into Des Plaines and making a better downtown for our city's residents. Right now, it cannot do that because we have not put the effort or investment into making it fulfill its potential. We must take a comprehensive look at all ways to reinvigorate downtown, and this is surely one of the central possibilities.

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

Downtown ought to be the center of the entire city's activity, and that can happen if it is the center of the city council's attention. By investing in infrastructure improvements, providing strong city services, and fostering better city-business relationships, downtown can become the center for the kind of businesses that will provide more jobs, more places to shop, more tax revenue, and a better quality of life for Des Plaines residents.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

I believe that by having a deeper understanding of our history as a city, we can better understand how to move towards an improved future, and by preserving our historic resources, we can maintain the qualities of this city that drew us all here in the first place. We must ensure that such historic preservation does not impede forward-thinking changes, but rather enhances the city as we move in a new direction. Such a commission would perform a valuable and laudable service for Des Plaines, and help ensure that we never lose our city's identity.

5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

Such tax credits are an incredible opportunity to utilize federal resources to improve Des Plaines without destroying the city's character. These tax credits are meant for investment in income-producing properties, and so can help us all work towards a city more prosperous while maintaining a city with historical integrity. They can help create a better downtown that uses our history as a draw for potential residents and business-owners.

More at the Cook County Clerk's Site
Matthew Bogusz' Campaign Page

Candidate Response: Seventh Ward, Joe Kozenczak

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1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

In my opinion, the corner of Miner and Lee Street, the current site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple building, is not the ideal place for locating our Police Station. Although financially appealing as it would be a TIF District and would ultimately cost less to develop, the area is limited architecturally and space wise. In addition, the public outcry regarding the displacement of the Choo Choo has been significant. This legendary restaurant has been an attraction over the decades. It has brought people to Des Plaines from throughout the United States and, even, internationally. It is the type of “destination” location that communities want to cultivate and nourish. Why would we seek to move it?

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

I do believe that the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown, but this may require “out of the box” thinking. It may mean that the theater would have to be receptive to other types of activities and developments in or adjacent to the site. And, of course, revenue is paramount. Nothing can be realistically expected without healthy financing and the combined efforts and philosophies of the City’s downtown business community, governing entities, and appropriate special interest groups.

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

Our downtown could be a more appealing and productive place provided it had more “healthy” destination retail/commercial establishments, more aesthetically pleasing niches, and some unique features that would set it apart from some of the other suburban communities. We need to focus on what “Des Plaines” is all about. We need to define our image and then capitalize on that. We need to further define our identity.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?
5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

I honestly admit that I would need to consult with our Historical Society in regards to the necessity of forming a Heritage Commission, Preservation Ordinance and pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places. (The City actually did have a Historic Landmark Commission, at one time.) I, personally, favor preserving what history Des Plaines has left, but I am also aware that very often these documents and designations are accompanied with “red tape” when it comes to any sort of additional developments or improvements. For example, I personally favor retaining the Des Plaines Theater, but I would like to see it adapted into a downtown development plan, whereby its purpose may become multifaceted and/or combined with new or different endeavors. I am not sure that a listing on the National Register of Historic Places would make this sort of plan feasible. Valuing Des Plaines’ history and heritage, I see the importance of incorporating the Des Plaines Historical Society’s role in future economic development planning for the City’s downtown. We need the expertise of these trained historians.

Joe Kozenczak's Campaign Site
More Information at the Cook County Clerk's Website

Candidate Response: First Ward, Michael Bausone

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1. Is the corner of Miner and Lee, site of the Choo Choo and Masonic Temple buildings, an appropriate place to build a police station and an appropriate use of TIF funds?

No, the station should not be built there. I'm not convinced we can't build upon the existing station. We also have to look at locations in other parts of the city.

2. Do you believe the Des Plaines Theater has the potential to act as a catalyst to attract more activity downtown?

Yes

3. How do you think downtown can be made a more appealing and productive place?

The council has to be accommodating of entrepreneurs who wish to set up shop downtown. Not long ago, somebody tried to open up a karaoke bar downtown. The council denied him a liquor license because a couple of residents complained. I would've voted for the license.

4. Do you support the creation of a Heritage Commission and preservation ordinance to identify, evaluate, and protect Des Plaines’ historic resources?

Yes.

5. Do you support pursuing listings on the National Register of Historic Places for Des Plaines historic properties and districts, making them eligible for Federal tax credit programs?

Yes.

Cook County Clerk Memo