Businesses, Palatine improving relationship
It wasn't too long ago - April, to be exact - when political hopefuls bashed Palatine as being difficult and unfriendly toward the business community.
Candidates, including Palatine's recently elected Mayor Jim Schwantz and Councilman Aaron Del Mar and their opponents, all relayed anecdotes from frustrated business owners who felt they had to jump through unnecessary hoops to relocate to the village, and criticized council votes that nixed new businesses from bringing in coveted revenue.
Fast forward to Monday night, when Schwantz and Del Mar happily listened to an economic development update outlining numerous commercial projects throughout the Rand/Dundee Road, Northwest Highway and downtown corridors.
"There's a nice mix of new businesses coming into town and also reinvestment," said Schwantz, who also lauded a new village Web site detailing development efforts. "It proves again that Palatine is open for business. We're willing to do whatever we can."
Most of the projects mentioned in Deputy Village Manager Mike Jacob's brief presentation were put in motion long before Schwantz and Del Mar were elected. However, several have been approved since they took office. Jacobs estimated that since Jan. 1, between 50 and 60 new businesses have opened. About 15 have closed, he added.
Jacobs started his slide show with an aerial view of Rand Road, highlighting parcels undergoing new construction and expansion. He said Joe Caputo and Sons Fruit Market is currently seeking its demolition permit from Cook County to build an addition and add parking. Positive reviews welcomed the new Tore and Luke's restaurant, and the new Arlington Toyota and Scion dealership is due to open within 30 days. In addition, ground broke last week on a Harley-Davidson dealership that's relocating within the village; Doggie Playhouse opened at Rand Road and Diane Drive; a more modern Taco Bell currently is under construction on Northwest Highway and a Sonic restaurant recently received village approval. Other projects include architectural updates to the Prairiebrook Shopping Center and restoring the old bank at 38 W. Slade St. to its "glory days." And today, representatives from Chase Bank will go before the zoning board of appeals about opening a branch at the former Brown's Chicken and Pasta site.
Del Mar was encouraged by the progress, but said he'd like to see more. He's working on implementing a business retention group and said he's been in contact with several developers.
"I don't want to use the economy as an excuse for a lack of development," Del Mar said. "But we've got some new leadership in place and we're making big strides. The perception of Palatine's treatment to the business community is different, and that's the first step."
Business: Zoning board to consider Chase Bank branch at Brown's site