Mayor Optimistic About Darien Business Climate During State of City Address

The economy remains a challenge, but  is holding its own, Mayor Kathleen Weaver said Tuesday during her annual speech at Ashton Place in Willowbrook.

Weaver used much of her talk to address business development in Darien, including the still-lagging downtown redevelopment project, while affirming her faith in the city’s resilience.

The city has worked to bring in new tenants to vacant storefronts, as well as to attract businesses to develop the plots of land purchased between 2006 and 2008 around Cass Avenue and 75^th Street.

“We’re trying,” she said. “We’re doing our due diligence here in this tough economy. We’d all hoped we’d come back a lot sooner, and I think we’re all frustrated with the progress.”

The city is about 30 days from reaching a $2 million deal with Chase Bank over one of the lots at Cass and 75^th, Weaver said. Chase, she said, will be a great anchor for the property.

But there’s been less luck with vacancies such as the old Hollywood Video storefront, also at 75^th and Cass, even though she said there’s been interest.

“Then of course (businesses say) it’s just not the right time to move,” she said.

Still, she disputed one audience member’s suggestion that Darien has many vacant storefronts. plans to expand to a Super Walmart, and Tuesday Morning soon will be opening in Chestnut Court, she said.

Joan Wayman, who owns a real estate firm in Darien, suggested the city partner with the Darien Chamber of Commerce to develop ideas for drawing in businesses. 

“It’s just changing our process from waiting for things to happen to making things happen,” she said.

Attorney Elizabeth Bacon said after the speech that she recently moved her practice to Naperville from Darien because of the city’s sluggish economy. She said she would like to see Darien become more economically competitive with its neighbors.

“It seems like there has been a diligent effort on the city’s infrastructure side,” she said. “I would like to see more proactive work on business development."

Municipal Services Director Dan Gombac said the city is taking proactive measures to find business tenants by participating in events such as an International Council of Shopping Centers showcase at Navy Pier. Darien is partnering with other DuPage County towns to feature vacant properties at the show in early October.

Despite the city’s business challenges, Weaver said she feels Darien has managed well through the economic downturn.

“We’re very frugal,” she said. “We just manage our money very well.”

She said the city anticipates the decision to close the Darien dispatch center and partner with DUCOMM, for example, will save about $100,000 annually.

Weaver also addressed the controversy surrounding her appointment of Chicago police veteran Ernest Brown on Monday as Darien’s new police chief. After a dissent-filled discussion and a weekend of , the city’s aldermen voted 4-3 to confirm Brown as chief.

Sometimes being a leader means you’re going to lose a few popularity contests, she said.

“You have to do what you think is the right thing to do,” she said.