Lisle candidates differ on downtown

A multimillion dollar beautification of Main Street in downtown Lisle is going to pay off with increased economic development, according to the incumbents in the village board race.

“We are positioned for downtown to explode once this economy turns around,” said Trustee Ed Young, who is seeking re-election along with fellow board members Mark Boyle and Cathy Cawiezel.

But the two challengers in the race aren't so sure.

While Richard Wilkie and Gary Ledvora agree downtown Lisle visually looks better than it did a decade ago, they claim a crucial component is missing.

“I haven't seen a corresponding plan to attract any businesses and bring viability to that downtown area,” Wilkie said. “We need a vision for what downtown Lisle is supposed to be as a destination — whether we decide it's going to be a restaurant enclave or a community of small shops.”

Until that happens, Wilkie and Ledvora say they don't believe Lisle will see a return on the estimated $20 million investment it made to both beautify Main Street and build the new Prairie Walk Pond at Route 53 and Burlington Avenue.

“We didn't spend that money on roads, water mains and police cars,” Ledvora said. “We spent it on discretionary things in the hope that businesses would come — and they're not coming.”

Ledvora said he believes Lisle officials should have sought other options for the pond location, which includes walking paths and a nature-themed children's playground called Dragonfly Landing. He argues the five-acre site should have been redeveloped by the private sector.

However, Boyle said the pond was needed because it offers functional water retention for 2.5 million gallons.

“For any type of development in downtown, you are going to have to address the stormwater issue,” said Boyle, adding that future plans can now avoid problems related to stormwater storage. “Now all the water can be put into one area. It looks better. It works better.”

Still, Wilkie said improvements alone aren't enough of an incentive for businesses. He said Lisle must decide what kind of businesses it wants in downtown and then develop a strategy to attract them.

“I've heard ideas that have been bounced off the wall,” Wilkie said. “But there isn't a comprehensive economic development plan. The business model that says how you get the return on that $20 million does not exist. Going forward, that is the important thing.”

Boyle said the village is working with different groups to brainstorm ideas on how to develop specific properties.

He said that's happening now that New England Builders, Inc. has pulled out of a contract to redevelop the old village hall site at Main and Burlington. The parcel has been vacant since the former municipal center was razed in 2003.

“The downtown is in a state of flux right now because of the economy,” Boyle said. “But I think we're moving in the right direction.”