With the CRM plan gone, tomorrow is another day...

Imagine if Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone With the Wind,” was a member of the Buffalo Grove Village Board.  After 2½ years of debate and discussions, many of which were contentious, regarding the now vanished “downtown project”, old Meg might have just rolled her eyes and uttered, “well, tomorrow is another day.”

                And she would be right.

                The instant downtown, proposed by Deerfield-based CRM Properties, is now a  memory. And while the acrimonious debate is seemingly lingering over concerns about the process and the fate of the Buffalo Grove Golf Course, the fact remains that the plan is gone and the village needs to face another day.

                The last several months have been a whirlwind of activity surrounding the CRM project and the end, much like Jay Cutler’s role as the Bears’ starting quarterback, came suddenly, with an unclear future lying ahead. 

                The village, however, is taking steps to enhance, develop and redevelop its retail business climate.  It’s going to be an arduous task for the village staff and the fathers and mother that make up the Village Board.

                There are a lot of questions.  In regard to the CRM project, I had hoped to get some answers from CRM President Chuck Malik, but scheduling conflicts and then a trip out of town led to his suggestion that I “check with (Village Manager) Dane Bragg for details.”  And before you know it, the petition was withdrawn.  Questions, however, remain.

                Up until a couple of weeks ago, questions centered on what Malk was going to do with his mega plan for a “downtown Buffalo Grove”.  His decision to withdraw his petition surprised residents, village staff and officials for a variety of reasons.

                For the cynical residents, it was a surprise because they assumed the project was a done deal.  For others, it was a surprise because there were so many unanswered questions that it was not clear which direction the plan was going.

                What may have been at the root of the withdrawal was that fact that Malk was eyeing in excess of $100 million from the village, a figure that was not met with open arms.

                “I was more surprised by Malk’s recent financial pro forma that was presented to the Board,” Village Board member Steve Trilling told me in an email response. “It was inconsistent with an earlier representation as to the amount of public funding, if any, that might be necessary.”

                The quick kill to the project may have been Malk’s request for financial support from the village.

                Board member Lester Ottenheimer said what surprised him was the change in financing because in what he called “preliminary discussions”, the village was led to believe that “financing would be different.”  Ottenheimer added that Malk’s decision could have been “because he couldn’t get what he wanted in financing elsewhere.”

Ottenheimer noted that the proposed cost to the village “were so high up it was out of control; He wanted us to finance $100 million. We can’t tie up the village with that kind of debt”.

                Was Trustee Jeff Berman surprised by the decision? “No, not in light of the financial figures CRM recently provided to the Village,” he told me in an email. He noted that “those figures were developed for the current version of the plan, which was created in response to the engineering study that was completed earlier this fall. Mr. Malk told staff that in order to make the project work from his perspective, he required a firm commitment for public financing for the “gap” shown on his spreadsheet of roughly $102 million.”

Berman noted that “just a few months ago, by contrast, he was still touting the possibility that the project could be completed without any TIF, or one of insignificant size.”  Berman said changes in circumstances the plan and numbers and Malk’s perspective led to Berman changing his own perspective.  “Based on the financial forecasts provided by CRM, it is clear to me that the project is financially infeasible. The nature and amount of TIF debt required to make the project “work” is far beyond any rational contemplation.”

                Board member Andrew Stein said he too was “surprised by the amount requested by Mr. Malk.” Stein noted in an email response that in previous discussions with the Board, Malk indicated that “he would try to structure it so that we would not need a TIF. When he did talk about a commitment from the Village, it was closer to the $20 million range.”

                Stein added that he was not was “not surprised that he (Malk) walked away when we told him that we were not interested in a $100 million contribution from the village.”

                The apparent move by Malk, along with the surprise and ensuing concern by the Board, should bring to light that this was not a “done deal” and that village staff and officials kept an eye open on the long-term impact on village finances.  Still, there were some apparent mixed reactions.

                “I don't know if I was so much surprised as I was disappointed,” Trustee Mike Terson told me in an email. “I was looking forward to going through the entire process and seeing how that evolved, as well as how the community would react as they learned more and more about the project.”

                Terson added that he is “not surprised by his decision because it became clear that the entire Board was not on the same page; and, that is a lot of time and money to invest in a process that you don't feel is likely to garnish the needed support to make happen.”

                Beverly Sussman said in an email that she was surprised by Malk’s decision because it happened “so abruptly”, especially given the fact that Malk “worked on this project for approximately 2-1/2 years and presenting two different concept designs plus his original design”.  Sussman noted that what added to her surprise was that fact that Malk “had a great deal vested in this downtown project.”

She added that he could have “tried to scale down the project or negotiate the amount or at least had some meetings with the Village to see if there was anything possible to work on. It's hard to believe that a developer of this size and magnitude would not have come back to the Village with some new proposal or concept.”

                Hard to believe or not, the proposal for a “downtown Buffalo Grove” is gone and when it comes to retail development or redevelopment in the village, tomorrow is another day.

                And frankly my dear, hopefully there will be developers who actually give a damn.

(This is the first in a series focusing on retail development and redevelopment in Buffalo Grove)

It's official -- Downtown plan is down and out

Unknowingly, T.S. Eliot summed up the saga of CRM Properties’ dream to create a downtown for Buffalo Grove when he wrote ““This is the way the world ends; Not with a bang but a whimper.”

                The announcement today that the Deerfield-based developer is withdrawing is plan to develop the Buffalo Grove Golf Course into a downtown that encompassed retail, residential, dining and entertainment venues combined with a municipal campus should not come as a total surprise.

                The grandiose plan with all its seashells and balloons lacked one major thing for residents and apparently, village officials.  Answers.

                In the release, the village said “In discussions with staff, CRM Properties Group President Charles Malk cited higher costs than initially projected for the proposed plan, and an inability to resolve related financial hurdles. The most recent cost estimates forecasted a significant funding gap; Mr. Malk indicated that without a Village commitment for public financing, the project would not be financially feasible. The nature and magnitude of the newly requested financial contributions were neither expected nor contemplated by the Village.”

                So what’s it all mean?  Apparently Malk wanted the village to bankroll a major portion of the project and the village said, “no thanks.”

                If nothing else, this should dispel some of the accusations that the Board was full-steam ahead, storm the Bastille and let’s build one for the Gipper.

                It wasn’t.

                Nor is it a “victory” for any neighborhood or group.

                In a carefully worded statement, Village President Jeff Braiman pointed out that “The Village has reviewed the latest financial parameters, and while we appreciate Mr. Malk’s interest in Buffalo Grove and the time he and his team took to explore such a large investment in our community, the current concept does not make financial sense for Buffalo Grove. As I have said from the beginning, this would be a long and important process with a number of decision points along the way. I want to thank all of those who participated.”

                It’s the obligatory “thanks, but surely you can’t be serious” statement.  It’s like every new Cubs manager saying they’re here to win.

                While numbers have not been released, it apparently was a concern for Village Manager Dane Bragg, with whom I met Monday to discuss economic development in the village.  When discussing the now faded downtown, Bragg said “the preliminary financial gap would be difficult to overcome” and that he was not sure the project Malk perceived it was “feasible."  Again, no exact figures were discussed.

                However, in a follow-up exchange with Bragg, he indicated the cost front loaded by the village would be prohibitive.  Bragg noted that “His (Malk’s) conception of the project, for example, the office product is a major issue – Malk anticipates(d)  that this element alone could create a gap of some $40 million in the project pro forma – mainly because the market rents don’t appear to support the equity raise required for new office building construction.”

                Bragg noted that there were some amenities that may be “nice to have” versus “need to have,” or may not be required upfront., but by adding in the office gap, plus basic site prep for pad ready property and the replacement of Village facilities, he said the financing could have exceeded $75 million, with a great deal of that amount front-loaded by the Village.”

                In an email to me, Bragg noted that “while the Village is willing to consider options, that sort of front-loaded debt creates risk and opportunity cost that the Village is not likely to accept.”

                And that is not what Malk wanted to hear, so the project is a thing of the past.

                What is not a thing of the past, however, is the need for continued economic growth in the village.  This will entail more presentations by more developers, and it’s possible that they won’t please all of the people in all of the neighborhoods.

                But nothing is a done deal -- and if nothing else, like it or not, the system works.

Retro retail ahead?

It has only been just shy of two weeks since Father Time sauntered out the door and the New Years baby that was 2014 crawled in the door.

               But much to my surprise, the banging on the keyboard and the incessant worrying was in high gear. Perennial candidate and worrier Chicken Little was hard at work.

               However, there was a twist this time.  Little has said repeatedly that he is worried about state number of vacancies in the village’s retail space, and rather than have him keep on clucking and expect the village to fill the spot, I told him to come up with some plans.

               He did.

               “I tell you, these plans can put Buffalo Grove on the map,” he said.  I’m thinking, not again.

               “Yep.  I’ve decided to the village needs a theme to develop a unique retail climate” he said. 

               Dare I ask?  The theme is?

               “Buffalo Grove, where we keep the past alive….”

               I’m lost.

               “So here’s my plan,” Little said, “we find ways to resurrect some of the famous names from days gone by the fill some of the vacancies.”

               Such as?

               “Can you see the former Dominick’s at Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights roads open as a Venture, Turnstyle, Wieboldt’s, Goldblatt’s or E.J. Korvette store?”

               Ah, not really, I said, but what about the rest of the strip center?

               “Easy”, he said.  “How about a Robert Hall, Steinberg-Baum or The Fair.”

               I am thinking a Col. Sanders or Chick-fil-a. 

               “Not funny,” he said.

               I asked C.L. if he had any ideas for the vacant car dealerships along Dundee Road.

               “You bet I do – all with the same theme.”

               I knew I’d regret this.

               “I’m thinking we could have Nickey Chevorlet, home of the backwards K or maybe Z Frank -- or -- better yet – how about Burt Weinman, your TV Ford man? 

               Any other bright ideas, I asked.

               “Well, now that you asked, I have one other idea for the Dominick’s at Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights road just in case my first plan doesn’t work.

               And that is?

               “A center with a Village Hall flair.”

               I asked him how he intended to do that.

               “Well, the old Dominick’s store could be a Gentleman’s Club.”

               With a Village Hall flair?

               “Just in name,” Little said.  “I was thinking about calling it the Dancing Dais, or Executive Session”.

               I asked him if he was serious.

               “Well, sure.  If we want to give it flair for the village’s finances a friend of mine gave me a great idea for a name.”

               And that is?

               “Bare Assets.”

               But what about the rest of the center?

               “Piece of cake,” Little said.  “I’m thinking of a coffee shop with a village twist.”

               Really?

               “Yep, and it would also have a retro theme.”

               How so?

               “Well, I may not have a name, but the barista would be former village manager Bill Brimm.”

               Well at least we know the coffee would be made with good water.  But, I asked how it would be retro.

               ‘The slogan, man, the slogan,” Little said.

               Which is?

               “Fill it to the rim with Brimm.” 

It's time for a change...

It was, for all intensive purposes, a big news week last week.

Item 1:  Buffalo Grove was ranked one of the top 50 places to live in the United States.  Reb Mordechai, drinks for everyone.

Item 2:  The Smithsonian announces that a new mammal, the Olinguito, which CNN reported is “..A small mammal with fluffy red-orange fur, a short bushy tail, and an adorable rounded face…”  Now, this is big news.

It’s also a no brainer.

According to Money magazine, the village had all the right tools (schools, finances, government, bloggers…well three of the four) making it attractive.  However, it reported that it did not have a traditional downtown district.

The village does, however, have a traditional name.  Too traditional.

If the village’s fathers and mother want to make a statement, change could be in the air.

It’s time to say good bye to the buffalo.

If Money magazine wants the village to break with tradition, it needs to do so beyond its rather

An olinguito offers a calmer image of the village

traditional name. 

So rather than Buffalo Grove, how about Olinguito Falls?  Or Olingutio Grove? Or Olingutio Shores?

Cynics, no doubt, would say “There’s never been a olinguito here.”

But has there ever been a Buffalo? Didn’t think so.

Granted, it would require getting used to – replacing Buffalo with olinguitos on the village’s letterhead and public service vehicles will be a change, but it’s one that would project a softer side of the village. 

First and foremost, however, is the replacement of those Fiberglass buffalos that adorn parts of the village.  And that stuffed buffalo head in the council chambers?  That has to go.  Warm, cuddly olinguitos would add a subtle change.

I know the sports programs around the village may need to change, especially at Buffalo Grove High School where the teams are known as the Bison.  Really.  Bison?  Just how many teams are known as the Bison compared to the “Fighting Olinguitos”?  It should not upset folks at the school as long as it doesn’t affect enrollment in AP classes.

The bottom line, is it’s all about uniqueness, friends, uniqueness.

So if the village wants to move up the list, it needs to add to the charm.  Growling, gruffly looking buffalo replaced by warm, cuddly olingutios may help.

As for a traditional downtown -- the founding fathers and mothers apparently opted against it.  And my guess is a plan by the developers in expensive suits and high-priced cars probably isn’t the answer.

But just think, if the village adopts the olinguito, guess where the buffaloing will come from?

Stealin' the bacon on any given sundae...

I have a friend who incessantly complains about Buffalo Grove.

               And he doesn’t live in the village, which makes it even more annoying.

               However, his office is in the land of the bison, so in his mind, it gives him fuel to whine about things.

               Like, for example, lunch.

               He contends that lunch in Big Animal Grove is not like it was when his office was downtown.  As in Chicago.  As in the Loop.

               OK, tell me something I don’t know.

               His malcontent may soon be coming to a quick end, however, when the village fathers and mother approve variances for the site which currently houses eSkape to accommodate a new venue operated as “Brunswick’s”.  Yes, Brunswick’s -- not be confused with Brunswick, the company that runs bowling alleys and pool rooms.  Don’t be confused because they’re one in the same.

               Brunswick’s promises to be a bit more upscale than its plain, ordinary Brunswick family centers because my guess is Buffalo Grovians want to be more upscale.

               This of course should please my friend because there will be another place for him to dine.  The concept of “Brunswick’s” is a new one and is being tested out not only in Buffalo Grove, but also in the hub of Americana – Georgia.  Seriously.  The folks who gave us automatic pin setters are also working on similar operations in Marietta and Norcross, Georgia.  We’re in good company folks.

               No doubt newly sworn in police chief, Steven Casstevens, is already at work planning changes to the police department’s police vehicle to look more like NASCAR cars.

               If the godfathers and godmother give the OK, Brunswick’s hopes to open in October.  In the meantime, they will no doubt plan an all-out marketing blitz about the upscale menu and the bar inside, cleverly named Tavern 45 (reflecting the year Brunswick was founded, 1845).  For those of you with eclectic palates, you will probably be thrilled to know that a signature item on Brunswick’s menu is, and as Dave Barry would say, I am not making this up – a Bacon waffle sundae.

               Really.

               Or quite simply, gross. I can deal with chocolate, nuts, bananas and licorice on a sundae – but bacon?  Fortunately I can’t eat it.

               Despite finding enough folks who will want to venture into the land of dead pig on a sundae, the folks at Brunswick’s will need to keep an eye on another aspect of business.  Survival.

               That’s not because it seems like the location at the north end of Town Center is as about successful as the Cubs’ bullpen or the Bears’ offensive line, but because as much as the village welcomes a “name brand” facility, it continues to look at improving commercial development in the village – as in instant downtown about a mile and a half away.

               If you recall the original plan that was unveiled in August, much of what the developer envisioned already exists in the village.  So the options for some business may be simple – duplicate or relocate.

               Odds of a developer proposing a second facility like eSkape-soon-to-be-Brunswick’s are slim (maybe), but the village may be between a rock and a hard place as it strives to attract badly needed commercial and retail operations.  On one hand, they want to accommodate potential new businesses.  But on the other hand, how do they tell potential merchants that they’re also working on an instant central business district that may very well pose competition.

               It’s a tough call.  However, there is one thing Brunswick’s will have a lock on.

               Bacon waffle sundaes. 

Who's on first?

The advent of social media has provided candidates at any level a new vehicle by which to deliver their messages.

President Obama used it extensively in both his campaigns as did Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

So I was not too surprised when I started seeing various posts by the candidates in the stimulating and issues loaded race for village trustee.  With three names on the ballot, current Board members Beverly Sussman, Andrew Stein and Lester (call me Les) A. Ottenheimer III,  and one write-in candidate, Jeff Battinus, it’s hardly been as exciting as say, an appearance by Carlos Marmol.

The four candidates have all said the usual stuff.  The three current board members have touted their experience and concern for the village, something incumbents usually due.

Battinus has been doing the same too, but since he has not served on the Board, he does not have the experience to fall back on as the other three.  Instead, he has been trying to forge ahead by riding the coat tails of the proposed instant downtown.  At last month’s candidate forum much of the discussion focused on the 65-acre proposal for a central business district along Lake-Cook Road on land currently being used as one of the village’s two golf course. 

A little residential concern, objection and ::poof:: we have a campaign.  Sort of.

With only one proposal on the table a decision does not seem to be in the near future.

If there are other major issues in the race, there has not been much discussion about them.  Yep, folks are concerned about the Weiland Road project.  Yep, folks are concerned about the budget.

But when it comes to hearing what the Village Board has to say about it, there does not appear to be a lot of interest in these topics.  At the past two meetings, there have been more people in attendance to say good-bye to retiring Police Chief Steve Balinski and retiring Public Works Director Greg Boysen than  have been to discuss village issues. 

Oh yes, let’s not forget the parents who came at last week’s Board meeting to celebrate the state champion Buffalo Grove Cheerleaders.

So cheerleaders and public works directors have taken the focus of the village.  In an election year.

As sitting Board members, Sussman-Stein-Ottenheimer III have had the chance to let the public know of their concerns for issues facing the village, but have not made village board meetings campaign forums.

So where’s Battinus during the Village Board meetings?  My guess he’s in one of two places – he’s out running (remember, part of his candidacy announcement was based on his jogs through the village) -- or he’s in Ela Township.

Say what?

Just check social media.  Battinus has made it a point to let the world know that he “likes” Ela First.

The what?   Ela First?

 Ela First, as noted on its Facebook Page is “…Committed to the people of Ela Township, we will Continue to provide quality services while maintaining a Balanced Budget with Integrity, Accountability, and a Proven track..”

I’m not sure why Battinus is interested or concerned in the fine folks of Ela Township – I mean Lake Zurich is beautiful this time of year -- but it seems to me that a candidate running for Buffalo Grove Village Board should be putting Buffalo Grove first.

He’s made it clear his opposition to the instant-mall and has called for development along Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue.  But now what?  One local paper endorsed him because of his “fresh voice”.  What it didn’t say is what they fresh voice was going to say.

Yep, the village needs more commercial and retail development – you can’t argue that.  But how should it achieve that?  The campaigns of all four candidates have been pretty mum on that. 

It’s a $64,000 question that a lot of folks in Buffalo Grove have been trying to answer.  And who knows where the answer will come from.

But odds are it won’t be in Ela Township.

Getting to the "root" of the issue...

Take a look at the word “suburban”.

Now deconstruct it.

As an ad campaign for a local newspaper chain years ago proclaimed – “The root of suburban is urban”.

As journalist Linda Ellerbee would say, “And so it goes.”

And it has.  Look around the village, watch the Village Board meetings and you can easily see how “the urban” has consumed not only Buffalo Grove, but the northwest suburbs.  Once was a time when a trip to Chicago was a big event, not it’s a rarity.  Crime was in a city thing -- and street gangs – they was a problem for the cities to deal with “those people.”

The two-lane roads are now four-lane highways ringed by interstates with plans to extend them even further.

What people once considered a bedroom community is now just part of the urban sprawl that brings with it new challenges and changes, which are a both welcomed and despised.

Take for example, the proposed of the 65-acre instant downtown.  The high-priced planners’ rendering make it seem as though the wizard has brought us oz.  He hasn’t.  And he’s not the first one to try.

At issue, as noted before, is the character of the village – we’re not talking visitors to a Village Board meeting – we’re talking character, as in atmosphere.  It’s not the first time a major plan has rocked the village.

In the 1980s, Buffalo Grove was pretty dormant north of Lake-Cook.  It truly was a bedroom community.  But the folks who owned the Charles Fiore Nursery decided it was time to unload 867 acres.  According to a report in the Chicago Tribune in April of 1986,   Alfred Fiore said``A farm is a thing of the past in this area” This was, noted the Tribune, in 1979 when he was running the nursery with brother Charles and brother-in-law Frank Zenzola.

Aside from the Didier Farm, Buffalo Grove is pretty devoid of farm land – in fact open space.  Aside from the two golf courses, and its park system the village has lost a lot of its green space.  There’s nothing wrong with our parks, but the once valued “bedroom community” is a thing of the past.

The annexation of Fiore changed the fabric of the village.  The development of the Woodland of Fiore added a new dimension to the village.  It impacted the infrastructure, schools and business in the village.

The arguments against Fiore were similar to the preliminary to the ones we’ve heard about the instant downtown.  Schools, traffic, hail, locust, etc.

But here’s a difference.  The development of Fiore was growth and carefully planned.  Granted it was not perfect and the folks in Long Grove and Lincolnshire wanted to stop it. But it was not a Robin Hood coming in to promise the village the downtown of our dreams.  No doubt, the financial implications are staggering and I’m sure there is a plan for a return on the village’s investment.  My guess is the Cubs will win the World Series before the instant downtown become a financial success.

No matter how you feel about the plans for Buffalo Grove’s Central Business District (BG CBD), the reality is this – it’s not the first time the village has had to deal with a master-plan altering decision.  However, unlike the Fiore annexation, the impact of residents is far greater.

Is there opportunity for compromise?  Absolutely. 

And while, as noted at the start, the root of suburban is urban, the root of disagreement is agreement.  It may be a contentious route, but at least there is a route.

And both sides need to take it.

Gaggin' in the Grove can also be found at http://stanzoller.wordpress.com.   Zoller also blogs at http://www.chicagonow.com/suburban-scene