Split vote on downtown Glen Ellyn

Glen Ellyn officials appear poised to hire Town Builder Studios to draft a strategic plan for the village's downtown, but not everyone's on board with that consulting group.

After interviewing four groups about the study, village board members informally voted 4-3 in favor of Town Builder Studios.

Trustees Jim Comerford, Peter Norton and Michelle Thorsell voted for Town Builder Studios of West suburban Riverside to conduct the study during the straw vote.

But Trustees Tim Armstrong, Pete Ladesic and Sara Lee supported Houseal Lavigne Associates, another consulting group based in Naperville.

Village President Vicky Hase cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of hiring Town Builder Studios.

As a result, village staff members received permission to begin contract negotiations with the group.

"I can't see how anybody could compare the abilities of Town Builder Studios to Houseal Lavigne," Ladesic said Wednesday.

Comerford said Town Builder Studios has experts in areas the village must focus on, including historic preservation, parking, retail and economic analysis.

Still, he understands the board is split on the decision.

"Once it's decided, though, I think it's important that we pull together," Comerford said.

Hase wasn't available for comment Wednesday.

Village and Town Builder Studios officials are expected to present specifics about the proposed contract to the board during a Jan. 21 workshop meeting. A final vote is expected to occur by the end of the month.

Acting Village Manager Curt Barrett said the village is interested in examining ways to invigorate the downtown.

"This is a big step for the village, which has always prided itself on a very conservative approach to things," he said. "This is the first time in modern history that we're taking this type of an approach to our downtown."

The study, which is expected to cost about $100,000, will include a parking study, survey work, market study work and a historic preservation review of buildings. It also will identify underused parcels and touch on different ways to get public input, Barrett said.

Once the study is done, officials will filter through the recommendations and plans and see which aspects to move ahead with, if any.

"It's a big endeavor," Barrett said. "It's going to be an exciting process and one of the highlights of 2008."