Closing York Street For Dining Debated

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst officials are considering closing part of York Street downtown for outdoor dining, making it a pedestrian mall.

While a couple of aldermen expressed support for the idea Monday, even more of them had reservations.

In another development, City Centre, a downtown merchants group, is poised to come out in opposition to the concept.

At a meeting, the City Council's zoning committee took up the issue.

The idea is to close at least part of York Street downtown to make way for outdoor dining.

Since the pandemic, the city has designated more sidewalk space and parking spots for such dining.

Elmhurst Alderwoman Jennifer Veremis said at a committee meeting Monday that she didn't think closing York Street would be fair to downtown merchants. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Alderman Mark Mulliner opposed closing York Street, saying he had "grave concerns." He noted police had issues about access to downtown if York were closed.

He also said closing only part of York downtown would be unfair to restaurants that are not part of the targeted area.

"I have been here a long time and believe me, we have tried a lot of different things in Elmhurst," said Mulliner, the city's longest-serving alderman. "Every time, we come back with what we have right now. This one-way traffic works the best."

Alderwoman Emily Bastedo had another view.

"I understand concerns about public safety, but I can't agree with your argument that if we can't have this everywhere, we shouldn't have it anywhere," she said. "This could be a huge public benefit. It could draw people from out of town. It would be something unique, not just something we are copying other communities on."

Alderwoman Dannee Polomsky opposed closing York. She said she liked the idea of a walkable city and a pedestrian mall. But she said the police, fire and public works departments were not enthusiastic about closing York.

Both Bastedo and Alderwoman Tina Park said the street doesn't have to be closed all the time. It could last a month in the summer or only happen during weekends or evenings, they said.

"Now is the time to look for something fresh," Park said. "It doesn't have to be all or nothing. It could be a limited amount of time."

Mayor Scott Levin was among the opponents of shutting down York, saying traffic in town was already bad.

"We have a rush hour," he said. "It can take you 15 minutes to go from downtown to Butterfield Road, so to close off yet another access point and force it all somewhere else, we just don't have the luxury of that many north-south streets. So I don't want to close another one."

Alderwoman Jennifer Veremis, who owns a beauty salon downtown, called herself a small business advocate. She said downtown shops are already paying a lot to be there.

As for closing York, she said, "I don't think it's very fair personally."

Alderman Jacob Hill said the city needed to develop a permanent plan for outdoor dining downtown.

Mulliner agreed.

"There are orange barriers downtown. It looks like we have a crime scene downtown every weekend," he said.

The zoning committee made no recommendations at its meeting.

This week, the City Centre board is expected to take an official position on closing York. Its executive director, Tom Paravola, said one of the group's committees recommended opposing the idea.