Wheeling board discusses strip malls
A development proposal has created an interesting conundrum for Wheeling officials: Is a strip mall that replicates others in town better than an empty lot?
Trustees discussed the idea of a shopping center at 100 W. Dundee Road at the board meeting Monday.
Trustee Judy Abruscato outright said she personally would never look at another strip mall in town again because they just don't work.
However, Trustee Dean Argiris said it's easy to say that the village doesn't want another strip center, but any store would bring in more property tax than an empty lot. He said residents have also asked for more retail in town.
Trustee Ken Brady pointed out that Dundee Road has five shopping centers already in a four-block radius and said he doesn't think any more shops will be supported.
He countered Argiris by pointing out that if stores aren't rented out, then the property tax question is null.
"We're going to have so many empty stores it's ridiculous," he said.
In the end, the board recommended the developer sit down with village staff to work out a proposal that may bring something different into town.
Be in the know: Buffalo Grove has officially launched its notification system for residents. Those who want important information from the village, such as when a boil order was instituted in March of this year, can sign up to receive alerts.
After the boil order was issued, several residents complained that not enough information was available quickly enough.
With the new system, residents and business owners can enter the phone numbers and e-mail addresses they want the village to use in case of an emergency.
The link to Connect CTY to sign up can be found on the village's Web site at www.vbg.org.
It's official: The village of Wheeling will put a referendum on the November ballot.
The village is looking to raise the surcharge on 911 calls from 75 cents a month to $1.45. The current fee was put in place in 1989 and hasn't been raised since then.
Village officials have said that if the fee isn't raised, that portion of the budget which goes toward the emergency dispatch center will be in the red.
Get carded: The Olive Tap in Long Grove will be celebrating National Library Month next month by offering discounts to those who have a library card through the Vernon Area district.
For more information, call the store, at 308 Old McHenry Road, at (847) 478-8741.
Free advice: Mangels of Long Grove will be hosting a presentation on interior design, remodeling and home accessories from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. next Thursday. The presentation celebrates a new collaboration with Tinaglia Architects in Arlington Heights, who will offer advice on custom room additions and decorating.
Complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served, but reservations are required. Call the store, located at 421 Robert Parker Coffin Road, at (847) 634-9287.
• Do you have any interesting Buffalo Grove, Long Grove or Wheeling story ideas? Pass them along to Nadia Malik at (847) 427-4489 or nmalik@dailyherald.com.