Promote Business Growth and Align Wilmette’s Shopping Corridors for Success
- Wilmette’s Downtown: Wilmette’s downtown has blossomed into a hub of vibrancy. The Village must work with existing business to ensure that their needs are met and focus on bringing yet more businesses downtown.
- Fourth & Linden Neighborhood: The shopping corridor in this neighborhood was once flourishing but lacks the options and excitement it once had. The Village Board must be open-minded when it comes to zoning regulations so we can attract businesses that will once again make this a destination, which will help the existing businesses to prosper as well.
- Ridge Road Corridor: Treasure Island closed over seven years ago. The Village must work to not only fill that space with a business serving the neighborhood’s needs but complimenting the area so other new businesses fill the surrounding buildings and the entire Ridge Road corridor.
- Other Shopping Corridors: The Village and its government must focus on the successes at Plaza Del Lago, Edens Plaza and the West Lake shopping area, recognizing that we must be attentive to the needs of those business owners and their customers.
Ensure a User-Friendly Government that Makes it Easier for New Businesses to Enter our Market and for Homeowners to Revitalize their Property
- Residents and business owners believe our Village must remain attentive to its existing character, but it cannot create so many burdens that homeowners are unwilling to go through the process of trying to upgrade their houses and that businesses are not willing to enter our market. While I am not willing to sacrifice our Village’s wonderful character with unchecked growth, we have to remain mindful that unnecessary red tape harms Wilmette’s long-term vitality.
Protect our Natural Environment
- Forge ahead on the Village’s Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan and aim to connect the Green Bay Trail to the North Branch Trail and North Channel Trail.
- Continue focusing on management of our stormwater system while promoting green infrastructure to decrease stormwater runoff.
- Protect our trees, allowing Wilmette to be recognized as a Tree City USA for the 40th time.
Promote Public Safety
- Ensure that our first responders have the tools and assets they need to protect Wilmette’s residents and keep our Village safe.
