Glen Ellyn Catches Eye of Business Owners, Developers in 2011

Janie Patch believes the perception of Glen Ellyn's downtown began to change last year. Attracting six new business to the Central Business District meant less vacancies and a resurgence for downtown. 

Patch is the executive director for Glen Ellyn's Economic Development Corporation, which recently released its annual report for 2011. The report details developments and possible businesses interested in working within Glen Ellyn's boundaries. 

"We definitely have a lot of irons in the fire," said Patch. "We were thrilled with that kind of activity and it's uncommon in the fourth quarter." 

Patch works year round to find ways to facilitate new development, redevelopment and foster business retention in Glen Ellyn's three business districts. Last year she reported a successful year that showed a range of possible new development, in addition to convincing some key businesses from leaving Glen Ellyn like Larc Jewelers, Chicago Prime Meat Market and Treasure House.  

Although Patch cannot release specific details about pending business deals, here's what catch the eye of developers and possible business owners in 2011:

Dodge Dealership Site: According to the study, the site historically produces "significant retails sales tax for the village." It's likely Fresh Market, a high-end grocer, will open at this site. However, before the finally deal is inked the grocer wants Taft Avenue improved for full access to the location.  

Roosevelt Glen Corporate Center Site: The property will be listed for sale in early 2012. The EDC is marketing the site as an opportunity for developers to use the parcels to make a retail redevelopment that's about 11 acres, facing Roosevelt Road. 

Antique Mall Site: According to the report, Patch has been working on finalizing a deal since August to bring in a signature restaurant development to the property located at 535 Pennsylvania. The report states, "The developer expressed interested interest in a future TIF District and some form of a development assistance program." 

Stacy's Corners Site: At the end of 2011, the EDC and village manager, in total, accrued five potential leads who were interested in obtaining the site. Those interested parties ranged from developers to retailers. 

Main Street South Site: According to the report and Patch, developer are keeping an eye on the public parking property located next to Giesche. The shoe store is for sale and developers are interested in this land, however, that interest reportedly hinged on the outcome of the TIF Distrct. 

Patch, and other Glen Ellyn officials are hoping the recent approval of the tax increment financing district will lure developers to Glen Ellyn. Glen Ellyn native and developer Marc Cella of MDC properties, is confident the TIF will attract more developers like him. Cella explained that a TIF signals to developers a village is serious about infrastructure improvements, but more importantly, it tells developers the village is more progressive about its thinking. It's been 12 years since Cella worked in downtown Glen Ellyn because he says process to develop in Glen Ellyn was too painstakingly long. 

"I haven't done anything in quite awhile because it's been much easier and more lucrative to go to other communities," said Cella. 

Those communities include Chicago's western suburbs like Elmhurst, La Grange and Naperville, which also approved TIF districts. For Cella, a TIF helps him and other developers save money on what could be very costly projects to just get started. For aging infrastructure, like in downtown Glen Ellyn, upgrades can be quite costly, ultimately turning a developer away from taking that financial burden. With the help of TIF funds, Cella said it makes it easier to get in and develop, essentially, "laying the path to having a nice open site." 

Glen Ellyn Village Manager Mark Franz explained much has changed since Cellas has done business in Glen Ellyn.  

"The current Village Board is extremely pro-business and the Village has made some significant changes to address some of the concerns dating back 10 years," said Franz. According to Franz improvements include:

• greatly reduced plan review timeframes 
• increased ability for staff to grant administrative approvals
• ability to expedite building plan reviews
• waivers for historical structures
• enhanced website with all forms and processes
• added engineering consultants to reduce timeframes and increase availability
• adopted updated codes
• offering concept plan reviews at no cost
• site development permits to allow work to start earlier 
• some permits issued while you wait 

"In short, Glen Ellyn is ready for you business," said Franz. 

Cella would be interested in looking at Glen Ellyn again. He developed the office building next to Schimid Pharmacy, Glen Crossing and sold the concept of Glen Stone to another developer. Glen Ellyn is the place Cella grew up and he is very fond of Glen Ellyn and thinks it's a unique community. 

"I think it's one of three communities in DuPage County without a stop light in downtown. I think it adds a lot of character," said Cella. 

According to Cella, if the village can keep that hometown feel and bring more recognized tenants and add more restaurants downtown it will be a benefit to the village. 

Cella said the next must-have in Glen Ellyn is a parking deck, which is a possible long-term project listed in the TIF plan for downtown. 

Editor's note: Right before this article was published, Village Manager Mark Franz announced that the Economic Development Corporation will be brought in house. The Village is now looking to hire a new Economic Development Manager. For more details on this stay tuned to Patch.