Fairview expansion would impede on neighborhood
Wolf in sheep’s clothing?

My neighbors and I have fought for a “Downers Grove” character for our neighborhood. It is zoned on the village future land-use map as a single-family residential area for acres around, but we have had several challenges.

A few council generations ago, we were assured the Family Video strip mall was the last variance we would see. A few years later, the property just south of Family Video petitioned for a medical building. We all fought, but the variance of townhomes was allowed. One year later, a piece of property just south of that was replatted. Originally, the property was platted for three homes facing Fairview Avenue, approximately one acre each, with four home sites behind and a protected “wetlands.” Now, the property has been sub-divided into 14 much smaller lots, a cul-de-sac has been installed and an existing cul-de-sac has been opened to create a through street. The “wetlands” disappeared.

On this property, three homes were built in the over-$1 million range. Two of the homes sit, unsold.

Our current situation is: Fairview Village Baptist Home intends to extend their expansion (a new five-story complex and rebuild) from the east side of Fairview to this property on the west side and into our neighborhood. Four large apartment buildings, a total of 32 apartments with 98 parking spaces are planned.

We have attended in large numbers all the village meetings and objected vehemently. We have demonstrated our commitment to our neighborhood by hiring legal council.
Fairview Village Baptist Home has made it clear they intend to continue with the rezoning and take any real estate opportunity that presents itself along Fairview Avenue. They also insinuated they felt they have the approval of the Village Council due to the charitable support they have given Downers Grove.

We feel we are in jeopardy of losing our neighborhood. We have to trust the Village Council of Downers Grove to support us, and we hope they will.
Andrea VanBuren, Downers Grove

Swim & Racquet Club not for sale: Park District
As the Downers Grove Park District continues the process of looking at potential sites, as well as the financial viability, for a community aquatic facility, a number of residents continue to inquire as to why the Downers Grove Park District has not attempted to acquire the Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club.

We want the residents to know that the Park Board in the past year has invited dialogue to discuss options with the Board of Directors of the Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club, but its board has shown no interest at this time in discussing any possible mutually beneficial arrangement, including outright purchase by, or other partnering approaches with, the Park District.

The Park Board recognizes the valuable recreational services the Swim Club has provided for 50 years to the community of Downers Grove. Any acquisition by, or cooperative arrangement with, the Park District would necessarily have to be voluntary on the part of the swim club members.

We are making this information public because of the continued inquiries the Park Board has received, even after the Park Board had exploratory discussion with the Board of the Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club.
Bob Gelwicks, president, Downers Grove Park Board

Park District should reconsider spending priorities
The Downers Grove Park District, probably thinking of revenues beyond its taxing authority, normally a welcome attitude, should give more thought to public attitudes.

I have no problem with the latest Hummer Park antenna proposal, but I have some doubts about the Gilbert Park proposal. I understand that T-Mobile looked at other sites prior to going to the Park District. Did the Park District offer them a better deal? What, if anything, was wrong with the other sites? Some answers might solidify my opinions.

The Park District seems bent on making money regardless of the effect on the rest of the world. For instance, Patriots Park has been designated as a nature center by previous boards but this board has considered leveling the wetlands, removing trees from the grove area and creating soccer fields. It has made it one of three possible sites for an aquatic park, which would ruin every aspect of the nature area. Why?

Possibly because it would like to acquire the Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club, and or it might be because the proximity to Westmont, Darien and Woodridge could bring more revenue to its coffers. Other nearby towns have closed their pools because they were costing more than the revenues they produced.

The Downers Grove Park Board figures it can change the equation by sending consultants to England to check out a roofing system that could make it a yearround attraction. During the school year, my children, and now my grandchildren, are busy with school, homework, music lessons, dance lessons, gymnastics, football, basketball, baseball, soccer and sometimes even a little help around the house. Going to an aquatic park? Well, possibly once or twice. My guess is that a year-round aquatic park will be another loser.

I understand the fitness center is in similar straits and relies on the golf course to keep it afloat. Can it also sustain an expensive aquatic park in whatever site is finally chosen?

The Park Board says the golf course is producing enough revenue to pay for bonds issued to pay for an aquatic park so they can bring it to fruition without a referendum.

The Park Board has on other occasions indicated they have money burning a hole in their pocket; it is time to give serious consideration to a tax reduction, especially in this period of recession.
John Kikta, Downers Grove

Downers parents should ‘shoot’ for girls league
A big thank you goes out to the Downers Grove Park District for the amazing job they’ve done with the girls’ soccer program for grades one through four.

Now it’s time for the parents to shoot and score a goal for the fifth- and sixth- grade girls. The Park District says if the registrations for fall fifth- and sixth-grade soccer warrant; there will be separate girls and boys leagues this fall.

If you plan on registering, please do so as soon as possible and say yes to gender specific leagues.

For more information, please contact the Park District and ask about fifth- and sixth-grade girls’ soccer.
David Ungari, Downers Grove