Editorial: The pandemic wrought seismic changes for the suburbs. Can we take advantage of them?

More people gravitating to the suburbs. Nature preserves, rivers and trails drawing crowds. Fewer retail stores, less office space, less driving and more ... what?

The seismic changes that are accompanying the pandemic offer a chance to rethink some aspects of suburban living. It's both daunting and enticing - a chance to imagine what we love about the suburbs, what we'd change about the suburbs and how our needs are evolving now and in the future.

The idea is not a surprise to developers and planners around here. Market forces already have been dictating some changes:

More housing. After two decades of young adults heading for Chicago neighborhoods, a shift might be under way. Mortgage broker Caliber Home Loans reported a bigger proportion of mortgage applicants in the Chicago area seeking suburban homes after the pandemic's onset compared to the two months before COVID-19, Marketwatch.com reports. That mirrors a national trend.

What kind of housing? In recent years some developers have been busy mimicking city neighborhoods with higher density, walk-to restaurants and coffee shops and shared amenities like gyms and party rooms. But what if buyers now want private yards, two home offices and a workout space of their own? It's like back to the '90s - but we'd better zone for multigenerational housing as more adult kids stay home and seniors shun group living.

Rethinking streetscapes. What if commuting doesn't return to pre-pandemic levels?

Arlington Heights was already reconsidering cars' dominance a few years ago with the idea of putting the concrete-clad intersection of Algonquin and Arlington Heights roads on a "road diet." With the area's offices largely unoccupied for now, nine lanes of traffic seems a bit much. Meanwhile, in downtown Arlington Heights, a popular al fresco dining program in the summer and fall has planners considering a European-style streetscape that prioritizes pedestrians.

More outdoors. It turns out that people have packed the forest preserves, trails, parks, rivers and beaches as a safer way to picnic, meet with friends, exercise and explore. How can we parlay that enthusiasm for the outdoors into greener, prettier, more accessible suburbs?

Behind all of this, the Jenga-like structure of local finances is in play. Sales and gas tax revenues are down. Marijuana tax dollars are increasing. Under-occupied commercial properties are sure to seek reduced property tax valuations while schools that rely on those property taxes might get more students to educate.

That's a headache to think about. But also an opportunity. It's been decades since the suburbs really had a chance to shape themselves in a strategic and large-scale way. Maybe that chance is upon us.