Who Are the Leaders of Northbrook?

Like most residents of Northbrook, I have dreams. Dreams of a quaint Downtown Northbrook with little stores and homemade ice cream on a beautiful summer day. My dreams include a relaxing stroll down our river walk while looking down at our bubbling river. I wave hello to my neighbors while sipping a big glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. After the kids have been put down for bed, I head back out on the town for the exciting Northbrook nightlife. I relax at an outdoor wine bar and have reservations at one of the most desirable restaurants in all of Chicagoland.

Then, the dream bubble above my head pops, and again I am looking at Meadow Shopping Plaza. Yuck.

The discussion of Downtown Northbrook has become the greatest rhetorical question of our time...”Why can’t Northbrook make a great downtown?”

Now the discussion of eminent domain is quickly making its way back to the headlines of the local and Chicago papers, including the story, "Eminent Domain On the Table Along With Draft Downtown Plan," published in Northbrook Patch on Feb. 1, 2012.

Eminent domain may have come up in committee discussions, but a takeover by the Village of Northbrook will not help move this town forward.

When Deerfield condemned the property at Waukegan and Deerfield roads, they were able to fill it with Whole Foods, Elizabeth Arden and Barnes & Noble... destination spots.

Even though Sunset Foods has kept downtown Northbrook functioning for many years, Northbrook still needs another anchor. Unless there is an investor, or a business, or an anchor tenant, Downtown Northbrook has little chance for growth and prosperity. 

Condemning property through eminent domain and providing tax increment financing is most likely not the answer to help Northbrook obtain an anchor and turn it into a destination spot.

Eminent domain is controversial and abhorrent to many Americans. If this discussion begins again, it will most likely divide our town and turn our energies towards unproductive goals.

Northbrook’s ability to obtain destination stores for downtown has proven to be a failure. It’s time for action from our leaders... not just our elected leaders, but the business and civic leaders who live in this town too.

So, I am taking it upon myself to form a united coalition to move this town forward. And the first item of business of this new coalition is to obtain a group of Northbrook leaders.

There are many CEOs and presidents of large companies who live in Northbrook. These leaders already have proven track records in taking their businesses to the next level. Let’s leverage our strength with the leaders that already live here.

Please email me at spaniak@mac.com the name of someone YOU think is a leader in this town and why. It could be someone in a business, at your school, the church, the synagogue or someone that you just think could help our mission. Or, if you are interested in volunteering your time to make Northbrook a better place to live, let me know.

Once I gather names, I will put together a purpose statement for our coalition and ask interested participants if they would be willing to join us for a united cause.

Northbrook has planned until the cows (or chickens) have come home. Now, it’s time for some action. Let’s GO!

Kati Spaniak is a 36-year resident of Northbrook, a former Northbrook Village Board Trustee and a real estate broker with @properties specializing in selling real estate in Northbrook. She has created a Get Involved Northbrook Facebook page to keep the residents of Northbrook involved and active in the community.