Glen Ellyn closer to downtown plan

Glen Ellyn leaders drilled two consulting firms Monday night in search of the best group to implement a downtown strategic plan.

Officials from Teska Associates Inc. and Town Builder Studio presented information about their qualifications. Glen Ellyn village board officials also asked targeted questions about the groups' experience with historic preservation, building appearances, food and beverage stores, parking issues and previous similar projects to judge familiarity.

During the past two months, village staff members selected six of 17 consultant groups and recommended trustees interview the top two. However, trustees expressed interest in reviewing the top four teams within two weeks.

When Trustee Jim Comerford asked what kind of time commitment each group was looking for from residents, both groups said they'd meet with many key players. Consultants said the strategic plan would be most successful when residents, village officials and business owners jump into the pool and all give their opinions.

"A strategic plan is the result of public involvement," Town Builder Studio President Jim Louthen said. "We have a variety of techniques we're going to use to engage the community."

Trustee Sarah Lee was critical of each group.

"How do you plan to work together?" she asked. "I'm looking for experience and I would like to know a specific project that you think is close to Glen Ellyn."

Both groups told of downtown projects they've been involved with, including Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Lemont, Aurora, Elgin and Brookfield.

All consultants said restaurants are attractions that draw people in.

"Food and entertainment add reasons for people to stay," said Aaron Gruen, principal of Gruen Gruen & Associates, who's joining forces with Town Builder Studios for the potential project. "That's one way to compete with malls."

Town Builder Studio officials said previously they've worked with Hinsdale, where they noted there were lots of banks and beauty salons in the downtown. Officials limited banks, but encouraged beauty salons. While both were services that brought residents to the area, beauty salons brought in spillover revenue to nearby shops.

At 6 p.m. Monday, village officials will conduct a similar open forum question-and-answer session during interviews with Houseal Lavigne Associates and Vandewalle & Associates Inc.

Officials said they hope to select a consulting group within the month, and slowly move forward to complete the strategic plan.