Hello Indian Hill Community Resident, Merchant and  Property Owner!  
     

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

9:00 am – 10:30 am

At Properties, 30 Green Bay Road, Winnetka (Coffee is on us!)   

The Business Community Development Commission (BCDC) is hosting a "Listen and Learn" session to gather your input regarding the topic of Business Development for Indian Hill and Winnetka. Jason Harris, Chair of BCDC, and Paul Dunn, BCDC Member, will be hosting the meeting:

The BCDC is advocate for Business Development. Our mission, goals, objectives and strategies are on the back side of this flyer. In short, here are our BCDC’s expectations for the dialogue:

• Open, honest, respectful dialogue

• BCDC representatives here to listen

• BCDC representatives here to learn

• BCDC working together with residents, merchants, property owners, Village Council to help business districts improve, do better

• BCDC will take message back to Council, Village Staff, Landlords, Merchant Community

• BCDC is a "conduit" for betterment of all Winnetka Business Districts

• Understanding that BCDC is working at a macro level for the community, and has limitations on ability to affect change on specific, individual issues

Here are some key questions for dialogue:

• What are Indian Hill / Winnetka’s business strengths?

• Where do you shop, eat in Indian Hill / Winnetka?

• What can you not get in Indian Hill / Winnetka and go elsewhere for?

• What is possible for Indian Hill / Winnetka?

• What is needed to engage the Indian Hill / Winnetka community?

If you can’t make it, but want to participate, please email or call.

jasonbennettharris@gmail.com dunguy988@hotmail.com

(847) 446-5350 (847) 501-5041

 

Business Community Development Commission - Statement of Purpose - Village of Winnetka

Mission: Promote a strong community identity by actively maintaining a healthy, vibrant, and attractive business climate to enhance village life, amenities, and revenue base so that it attracts both residents and non-residents, thereby serving the greater market area.

Community: The Village of Winnetka is an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family. Its small-town spirit, charm and traditions make it one of the most delightful, congenial, and dynamic Villages along Chicago’s North Shore on Lake Michigan.

With tree-lined streets, sandy beaches, renowned schools, outstanding parks, quality recreational facilities, a centralized Community House, local non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and four business districts – Hubbard Woods, West Elm, East Elm, Indian Hill – Winnetka is truly a "beautiful land" – as its name suggests.

Objectives: (from 2020 Comprehensive Plan)

• Maintain the essential quality, viability and attractiveness of Winnetka’s business districts while encouraging new economic development consistent with the character of the Village and the individual business districts.

• Encourage Village residents to patronize Village businesses.

• Encourage cooperation and effective organization between private and public resources to keep Winnetka’s business districts vital.

• Enhance communication and cooperation between the Village and the business community.

Values and Goals:

1. Promote centralized "gathering places" to be the "hearts" of Winnetka.

2. Create ambiance with streetscape elements, art, landscaping, architecture.

3. Advocate for adequate parking.

4. Advocate infrastructure upgrades.

5. Identify specific sites for redevelopment potential.

6. Support an appropriate market mix.

7. Foster working relationships with the community, i.e.

a. Village government

b. Commercial property owners

c. Chamber of Commerce

d. Business owners

e. Private associations (not-for-profits)

f. Residents

Strategies:

1. Develop and maintain a comprehensive database listing of Winnetka businesses (retail, professional, not-for-profit, home-based)

2. Establish strong communication and market efforts to support ongoing business activities

a. Open forums focusing on such topics as: revenue, services, parking, zoning

b. Media such as website, kiosk panel, Winnetka Report

3. Conduct business surveys to collect data on retention, needs, potential for community events, activities, promotions

4. Attract and retain a diverse business population

a. Facilitate intergovernmental relationships to support new businesses

i. Provide guidelines booklet, "How to Establish A Business in Winnetka" including an explanation of the permit process

ii. Dialogue with landlords/property owners

b. Research

i. Funding sources, such as self funding; public/private co-operative projects; foundation; TIF; Special taxing districts; Sales Tax Incentives; Illinois Historical Preservation Association ("Main Street" and tax incentives); Urban Land Institute; and Home Rule

ii. Competition from nearby communities (leakage)

iii. Train/public transportation support for potential partnerships

iv. Potential tax incentives to attract new businesses

c. Develop marketing materials (brochures, DVD, website) to provide

i. Full demographics

ii. Street and aerial map identifying transportation, parking, major retailers

iii. Village information focusing on community life (schools, churches, park districts, community house, library, not-for-profits)

iv. Available commercial properties

Click Here for printable version