Glenview clears strategies out of the Glenview Connect playbook
The Glenview village board reviewed a related pair of business support programs and also approved an agreement with a familiar development adviser during Tuesday's board meeting, two topics resulting from the Glenview Connect process.
One of those topics floated during Glenview Connect, and unanimously approved by the board, was the two-pronged approach of tenant improvements and facade improvements.
A combination of Business Assistance Program and Economic Development Strategic Plan Implementation funds in the 2022 budget totals $271,000 devoted to these programs. They're based on individual applications and subject to a battery of qualifications. The village intends for these programs to become permanent.
Matching funds by 50%, up to $37,500 for facade improvements and a 50% match up to $50,000 for building improvements, there's a possibility of six total projects to be funded over the second half of the year.
Jeff Brady, Glenview director of Community Development, said priority on a first-come, first-served basis would be shown applicants from the village's downtown area and The Glen, which would be targeted for the program.
"We anticipate quite a few applications coming through," Brady said.
The tenant improvement program, dealing with interior features such as flooring, heating and air conditioning, kitchen equipment, plumbing and other infrastructure, covers permanent features.
Several criteria exist to participate in the program, including a $10,000 minimum of work and the demonstration of a gap between what a tenant is able to pay and the cost involved, and therefore the need for the matching funds.
Any building or first-floor tenant space is eligible to receive only one of the grants in a five-year period for both the tenant and facade improvement programs, though exceptions could be made for large, multi-tenant buildings.
The tenant program targets restaurants, retail businesses, creative arts and entertainment businesses - no hotels, office spaces or service uses.
The facade improvement program is just that, eligible under several of the same criteria as the tenant program, though costs must exceed the $5,000 mark.
Under this program, signage, awnings, brick cleaning, permanent outdoor dining features and outdoor lights are just some of the applicable uses of the funds. Some things like landscaping and security systems are ineligible.
The proposal said village staff will select the successful applicants and grant awards. The projects likely would require review by either of the village's commissions for Development Adjustments or New Development.
Also out of the Strategic Plan playbook was the possibility of enlisting a business recruiter and development adviser. The board did that Tuesday, approving a resolution for an agreement with commercial real estate veteran Mike Mallon of Mallon and Associates of Wheaton for $109,000.
Among his qualifications, Mallon listed that he's analyzed and developed more than 5 million square feet of commercial space in 40 years in the business - including the Heinen's Grocery Store in Glenview.
Former vice president of retail at Draper and Kramer and vice president of real estate in the Midwest for both Jewel-Osco and Dominick's, a perk for Glenview is his past experience as director of Planning and Zoning for the Village of Lombard.
"Once a planner, always a planner," Mallon said before the board.
His assignment entails promoting Glenview at events, determining the proper retail stores that would work in the village, then getting them to bring their business, analyze redevelopment prospects, providing business support, serving as a "bridge to the municipality," he said, and other tasks.
"I'm excited about rolling up my sleeves and getting this started," Mallon said.