THE LANDMARK VIEW
Economic development in Brookfield is one of those political footballs that is forever kicked back and forth, often to no avail. Every couple of years it’s an important talking point of politicians eager to unseat incumbent candidates, charging that they have done nothing to improve the economic fortunes of the village.
For the most part, the charges are basically accurate. Economic development in Brookfield has occurred strictly according to market forces. And the market has not been particularly generous to Brookfield.
That’s why Brookfield’s effort back in 2003 and 2004 to formulate a master plan for the village and its commercial areas was such a departure from previous efforts at economic development. It laid out specific (if sometimes overly optimistic) scenarios that could move the village forward and bring its commercial potential into the 21st century.
The trouble is that after two years, little has been done to address key aspects of the master plan that would make it possible for the kind of development envisioned there to actually move ahead. However, the village may be moving on looking at those issues now.
The first stab at addressing the master plan will happen next week at a town hall meeting regarding the Hollywood section of the village and what its future should look like. That is a good idea, but it’s also a small idea. While Hollywood is an important and historic neighborhood in the village, it has little in the way of an economic future. Its commercial buildings were built to serve another era, one that will never again exist.
Where the village really needs to focus are on three areas-Ogden Avenue, Grand Boulevard and 47th Street-the areas in the village with the greatest potential for economic opportunity.
In the village budget there is a line item for $75,000 to fund a TIF study. While a TIF could certainly be used to advantage on Ogden Avenue, creating a TIF is a long, sometimes contentious process. It’s going to take time for both officials and residents to be educated on the concept of TIFs. And it is almost certain to become political ammunition (the village presidential election is in 2009), which will complicate and slow the process. Best case scenario, a TIF could be created by sometime in mid-2008.
Forty-seventh Street, still relatively untouched, needs attention. Its zoning needs to be updated in order for Brookfield to move on economic opportunities afforded by development across the street in McCook. While that development is still in its beginning stages, it will come, and Brookfield needs to ready to respond with an attractive land use plan for developers.
Momentum in Brookfield’s traditional Grand Boulevard downtown has slowed. While it’s taking a look at Hollywood, perhaps officials could do the same for Grand Boulevard. What can it look like, what must it look like for the area to succeed. It’s time to take the master plan and shape it into reality.