Glen Ellyn leaning toward picking downtown study firm

Despite residents' push for Glen Ellyn officials to further evaluate two consulting firms, the village board seems to have already pinned down its most popular choice to conduct a downtown study.

Village President Vicky Hase said it's too late to re-evaluate the two consultants -- Houseal Lavigne Associates and Town Builder Studios -- and their proposed contracts.

However, if a trustee suggests the idea, further review could be a possibility, Hase said.

"This is an idea that should have come forward months ago when we established how we are going to go about picking the consultant, and we're way past that," she said Thursday.

However, Trustee Pete Ladesic said he thinks residents have an excellent idea.

"I'll continue to fight for the residents that were insulted as wanting to get involved," he said. "It would only be wise for my fellow trustees to be open to (evaluating two contracts)."

Village staff is tweaking Town Builder Studios' contract, and the $100,000 study is expected to be voted on Monday night.

At this week's workshop meeting, some residents said they're confident the village will select the best firm. But others were double-minded about the possible outcome and were adamant about exploring Naperville-based Houseal Lavigne Associates.

Diane McGinley, president of Go Downtown!, suggested that since Ladesic and fellow trustees Tim Armstrong and Sara Lee prefer Houseal Lavigne and aren't being supported by the rest of the board, officials should negotiate two contracts simultaneously and compare apples to apples.

"The community wants to cooperate and support this project as a whole, but we also want to be welcomed with our comments and questions," McGinley said.

Resident Beth Howley agreed. She said she's concerned the village is going to move forward with the project and get nowhere.

"We need to get the best ideas on the table and create a team atmosphere," Howley said. "What's wrong with us spending an extra $15,000 or $20,000 when we need to start off this project on a positive note? I don't think that's too much to ask, and it's not going to set us back."

As part of the proposed study, the consultant will highlight areas the village needs to focus on downtown, including historic preservation, parking, retail and economic analysis.

If you go…

What: Glen Ellyn Village Board meeting

When: 8 p.m. Monday

Where: Village Hall, 535 Duane St.

Information: Call (630) 469-5000 or visit www.glenellyn.org.