Village President Gopal Lalmalani accepting eCity award from Google's Rob Biederman.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
September begins a new school year and we are reminded that our school age residents will be going to/from schools and bus stops. Please drive cautiously to help keep our children safe!
I am happy to report that the Taste of Oak Brook was once again a great success and we were graced with an absolutely beautiful day! Many thanks to all of our sponsors, especially the McDonald’s Corporation, whose co-sponsorship of the Taste of Oak Brook and the fireworks display allows the Village to host this community event annually. The polo season was a great addition to the summer activities! Five dates held great matches and I was delighted to see so many in attendance.
As you know, we recently learned that McDonalds will be leaving Oak Brook sometime in the early part of 2018. They presently own over 150 acres of property within the Village. Some of that includes over 35 acres of open space but the remainder of their property encompasses their headquarters, university campus, and technology offices. All of these locations are prime areas for redevelopment, specifically the 80 acres next to our Village Hall.
What I can say to everyone is that we have been in contact with representatives from McDonalds. They are in the process of selecting a broker to put together a marketing plan of all their properties. As we have had a long-standing, great working relationship with McDonalds, we have been assured that they will be at the table with their broker when they meet with the Village to discuss future plans for their properties.
With that in mind, I have already combined the Streetscape and Commercial Revitalization Committees into the new Community Enhancement Committee. The makeup of this Committee not only consists of Village leadership but that of our commercial, office and retail stakeholders. The Committee held their first meeting on Monday, August 8th. The majority of the Village Board was in attendance. A great deal of information was discussed; from the past successes of the former Streetscape and Commercial Revitalization Committees to several projects that are in the process of being completed or approved at the state level.
The Committee had a robust discussion on what to focus on moving forward. They are in agreement with the Village Board and their recommendation to retain Houseal Lavigne Associates to update the Commercial Areas Revitalization Plan. Specifically, providing some insight as to what uses would be beneficial on the McDonald’s properties prior to their leaving the Village. I know the Board is very excited about the Committee’s role in working with our residents, the business community and our staff by improving the Village’s Streetscape Plan, the Village’s Commercial Revitalization Plan, and the Village’s Economic Development Program.
Finally, our Finance Director/Treasurer/Assistant Village Manager Sharon Dangles has accepted the position of Finance Director for the Homewood Flossmoor Park District. I would like to thank Sharon Dangles for her dedication and hard work she gave the Village over her eleven and a half year tenure and wish her well in her new endeavor. In the interim, Assistant Finance Director Jason Paprocki will be Acting Finance Director/Village Treasurer until a replacement is in place.
As always, the Trustees, the staff, and I are available to you at all times. We are here to serve you. Feel free to call, email or meet any of us if you have any thoughts, ideas or concerns.
Kind regards,
Gopal G. Lalmalani, M.D., M.B.A.
