Do You Support Darien Downtown Plan?

DARIEN, IL — Darien lacks a downtown, which the mayor and others would like to change. Mayor Joseph Marchese is proposing a development at the northwest corner of Cass Avenue and 75th Street, which he called the geographic center of town.

But one of the snags is that it would take up the current site of Lace Elementary School, the old Lace Schoolhouse Museum and Safety Village. The city will need the school district's approval before the plan goes forward.

The mayor said the new downtown-like development could feature apartments, condos, retail and parking. In the city's weekly newsletter, the administration spoke of its downtown plan: "We anticipate that this subject will become a topic of discussion on social media venues, but we do want to remind everybody that this concept is still very preliminary and in the event it moves forward, there will be many opportunities for the community's input."

The city is right about the social media discussion. On Facebook, Patch asked residents late last week about whether they liked the downtown idea. Most opposed it, but a few supporters emerged.

Kelly Hagen Connelly was among those who minced no words about whether she supported the concept: "Absolutely not!!"

"We can't even believe that this idea has been shared, and no one on our village board or even our mayor, has even thought of how it could affect us and so many others here with Safety Village, Lace school as well as Old Lace School," Connelly said. "We are absolutely not in support of this idea at all. We would lose Lace School."

She continued, "What about Old Lace School, and most of all, what about our Safety Village, which has been the heart and soul of my entire family, as well as of all those who have supported our program, from our friends and family, teachers, teens, students and families, who have all been an important part of our history. This program was started by my parents, in memory of my brother, who tragically lost his life at 9 years old, in a pedestrian accident. My family ... as well as friends, and everyone else who has supported our program over the years, worked so hard to have our permanent site built, and helped us to ensure that we provide the best in safety education to our children as well as to our parents."

Other residents also were opposed. One said, "There is no land in (School District) 61 to rebuild Lace as far as I remember, plus the money for a new building would cost millions. The taxpayers would go crazy at the increase."

A woman said if residents wanted a downtown, they could go to Naperville or Oak Brook, but the city could build nothing that was more important than Lace, the old school or Safety Village. And others questioned why Darien needed more retail when the city and other communities have empty storefronts.

Darien, some said, is just not the type of place to have a downtown.

"Downers Grove and Hinsdale have a downtown area because of the train stations. People walk there. People don’t walk to Darien businesses in that area. Didn’t the city already try to get retail and condos on Plainfield and Cass? What came from that?" a woman wrote.

A man chimed in. "Stop faking it Darien. We're not Hinsdale. Which is a good thing."

A few residents in the discussion seemed open to the idea. "A nice downtown area with shopping, summer activities, a few restaurants, with luxury condos above? Maybe," she said.

Another said, "I would like to see what the plan is for Lace, but I am definitely interested. I believe if planned properly it would be a fantastic addition to our already wonderful town."