Maxin’ and Relaxin’ on Wilmette’s Controversial Linden Square Redevelopment at the 4th and Linden
Did you love it when TV heroes Mighty Mouse or Sky King zoomed in from above to save a perilous situation back in the day? I did. I was reminded of them when I read this post yesterday. It seems that three of our Wilmette trustees are all for doing away with height restrictions in the new Linden Square Development at 4th and Linden, destroying the pedestrian intent of the area, filling it with pedestrian unfriendly autos, and cavalierly dismissing their anti-Citizen plans for Wilmette’s future with an offhand "You have to play the developer's game."
Say what? As Wilmette developer Antoin Rezko cools his heels awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, one would think it would be a good time to be a bit wary of developers, not banging the drum for their financial benefit. While we will be learning a great deal more about how government officials “play the developer’s game” on the nightly news later this month, if we’re not careful we might be living it in real time here in Wilmette. I am sure Rezko's trial will provide ample evidence of how it’s fair game for the developers to line their pockets while the Citizens suffer, all while government officials nod approvingly. While we are all for the fair profit, we know that the first duty of a Trustee is toward the people of Wilmette.
But me worry? You’ve got to be joking. Noted architectural blogger and new Wilmette resident, JB Powers, is on the case, big-time, with this post on the redevelopment plans for the 4th and Linden (Linden Square), zooming through cyberspace to make a fast save for the People of Wilmette. The Backyard Conservative is already echoing his concerns, and Conservativebrand is even questioning the legality of the meeting.
Meantime, I’m sending my citizens’ cap out for a well-deserved cleaning; I would suggest you do the same. While we now have our hero, its best to be prepared.
Click here for the JB Powers post, here for Backyard Conservative’s post, here for a link to Conservativebrand. Click here for the Linden Square Ordinance, here for the Report, and here for a great Mighty Mouse cartoon.
Say what? As Wilmette developer Antoin Rezko cools his heels awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, one would think it would be a good time to be a bit wary of developers, not banging the drum for their financial benefit. While we will be learning a great deal more about how government officials “play the developer’s game” on the nightly news later this month, if we’re not careful we might be living it in real time here in Wilmette. I am sure Rezko's trial will provide ample evidence of how it’s fair game for the developers to line their pockets while the Citizens suffer, all while government officials nod approvingly. While we are all for the fair profit, we know that the first duty of a Trustee is toward the people of Wilmette.
But me worry? You’ve got to be joking. Noted architectural blogger and new Wilmette resident, JB Powers, is on the case, big-time, with this post on the redevelopment plans for the 4th and Linden (Linden Square), zooming through cyberspace to make a fast save for the People of Wilmette. The Backyard Conservative is already echoing his concerns, and Conservativebrand is even questioning the legality of the meeting.
Meantime, I’m sending my citizens’ cap out for a well-deserved cleaning; I would suggest you do the same. While we now have our hero, its best to be prepared.
Click here for the JB Powers post, here for Backyard Conservative’s post, here for a link to Conservativebrand. Click here for the Linden Square Ordinance, here for the Report, and here for a great Mighty Mouse cartoon.
posted by Publia at 7:15 AM
2 Comments:
Makes you wonder which one of the Village Trustees will get their kickback from the developer first.
1200 is a lot of units...seems like one developer will get a permit, then shut down the others after the neighbors scream loud enough.
I was at 4th and Linden the othr day, and I can see how it could be almost instantly transfixed from a sleepy suburban center to completely urban. We will have to keep our eye on this one!
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