Editorial: Keep locals involved in Arlington Park site's future

Last in a series

Over the next several years, a lot of big thinkers will be devoting countless hours of big thoughts to the details of developing the former property of Arlington International Racecourse at the intersection of Wilke Road and Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights.

At the moment, all of the study and reflection seems likely to focus on construction of a stadium for the Chicago Bears, but whether for the Bears or any other development, there is one set of thinkers whose ideas and concerns also must be integral to shaping a new vision for the property: The community, especially the immediate neighbors of the site.

In this series of editorials, we have offered some of our thoughts and concerns. We're excited about the prospect of hosting a Chicago sports treasure. We want to see a development that respects the tradition of excellence established by Arlington Park. We want a project that will help the region beyond the reaches of a few seasonal football games, and we want that development to serve as a resource for community projects and events. Of course, we also want government officials from Arlington Heights, surrounding communities and regional agencies - who no doubt are already preparing to manage a process that's expected to take at least until 2026 - to play an active role in collaboration with the Bears, and we know they will.

But we also want all of the planners to maintain close relationships with the businesses and residents who will be directly affected by this immense undertaking. A Bears stadium and possible complementary businesses and projects will have an impact far beyond the streets and highways bounding the Arlington Park property. The numerous interests who will experience immediate disruptions during the makeover and long-term consequences ever after must be not merely accommodated but sought out and listened to.

All along the way of any project like this, we certainly need transparency and candor from private and public officials, and we need involvement and ideas from throughout the region. But we also must remember the people who have made their lives and livelihoods in the neighborhood for decades. They learned to live and work comfortably with an iconic entertainment venue attracting tens of thousands of people throughout each summer. The experience of life under the shadow of an NFL operation will intensify the challenges by orders of magnitude we may not yet be able even to conceive.

Moreover, the development, tucked into a corner of Arlington Heights bordering Palatine and Rolling Meadows, obviously will have implications beyond merely the residents and government of one village.

There is much to stir our excitement as we anticipate the visionary prospects for a state-of-the-art Bears stadium in the heart of our suburbs. Let's all take part in shaping and critiquing the final vision. Let the Bears and our local leaders work toward a project that will be a community and regional icon. And, let's be sure that in all the hoping, planning and big thinking, we remember the people and businesses who will be disrupted directly and immediately.