Roosevelt Road better for business than housing
I recently read your editorial concerning the hotel site in Glen Ellyn. I was disappointed at the lack of facts and information. It is easy to simply take an emotion-based position. However, the facts highlight the absurdity of housing in that location.
That site is on the busiest commercial corridor in Glen Ellyn. The village's own consultants emphasized the need for Roosevelt Road to remain a commercial hub for the village and recommended de-segmenting the lots.
The site is next to a gas station, the fire station, a veterinarian clinic and a tire shop.
Roosevelt and Park both are high traffic, dangerous streets. There is no other residential nearby by and for good reason. It is a commercial area. Putting housing in that location would decrease tax revenue for School District 89, which already has a significant shortfall and higher taxes compared to the other school districts in Glen Ellyn.
District 89 also has a higher percentage of students with free or reduced lunch. Rather than coming up with a well thought out plan, advocates are proposing to jump on this site because it is available.
The village put hundreds of luxury apartments in downtown, with only two affordable housing units.
Housing at this site would not be responsible, good for the school district or a reasonable use of an obvious commercial space.
The community has conducted a significant amount of research, all shared at various meetings. We are interested in helping the underserved in our community with supportive housing, but it should be done responsibly and planned. We saw that in Naperville recently.
To truly serve the community, we cannot simply be reactionary and let our emotions drive poor decisions.
Nicolas Nelson
Glen Ellyn