TIF, Comp Plan and Video Gambling: Stories that Made an Impact in Forest Park in 2012

Patch has only been in Forest Park a short while, and we've learned quite a bit about this community.

It's a proud town, proud of tradition and of its people. You have an affinity for children and seniors. And you enjoy fun.

In short, you're not unlike a lot of other towns - you just do it in your own way.

And we at Patch think it's pretty cool.

We took in our own firsts here this year - Summer Fest, Ribfest, the Holiday Walk and of course the casket races.

We'd like to share with you what we believe are the stories that not had an impact in 2012 but will likely continue to draw discussion in 2013.

They're in no particular order.

Here goes. If you have any we didn't mention, please feel free to comment at the bottom of this story.

TIF Districts

Redrawing TIF District lines. It could take a while to take shape and make an impact but revitalization will be the key to Forest Park's business growth.

Two Tax Increment Finance Districts, or TIFS, have existed along the major traffic artery in south Forest Park for more than a decade. One was created to revitalize the Forest Park Mall. The other was used as an incentive to bring Walmart to the village.

But both TIFs are on the south side of Roosevelt. And many other parts of the roadway on the north side are in need of revitalization as well.

Comprehensive Plan - Altenheim and 512 Des Plaines

A piece of the puzzle that will be Forest Park in the future will be the comprehensive plan. Two important pieces of that will be what will happen with the building at Altenheim and 512 Des Plaines Ave. There have been a few ideas for both pieces of property, but their future may rest with what the community has in mind. A survey will be distributed to residents in 2013 that will include questions about both parcels.

Fourth of July

After 43 years of festivities on our nation's birthday, the Park District decided to cancel the 2013 fireworks display in September. The reasons? Funding was one. But it seemed safety was especially important.

And there are plenty of reasons for that. The crowds had gotten too big, there had been some trouble: a Roman candle was shot off at someone, the crowd was rowdy and the groups were hard to disperse.

So now the park district will look at a scaled back old-fashioned picnic on July 3- without the fireworks. They could come back in 2014, but a lot of careful planning will be needed, especially on ensuring crowd safety and security. 

Where will the Historical Society Go?

A community's historical society is a vital institution - it's a town's collective memory that needs to be shared and celebrated. What will happen to Forest Park's is uncertain.

Why? It needs a home.

Six months after the society moved into space at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, officials learned that the church may soon be selling the building to New Mount Moriah M.B. Church in Chicago. St. Peter's, at 500 Hannah Ave., Forest Park's only landmark building, is looking to disband because of dwindling membership.

The society has the space until April. No contract has been reached yet with Mount Moriah to buy the building; Grah has hope that the society still has a chance to buy it, if no deal can be worked out between the churches.

Video Gaming in Forest Park?

There was a bit of discussion about allowing communities such as Forest Park the option of putting gaming machines in liquor establishments.

There was certainly support from segments of the business who believed that video gambling would bring in revenue to them and the village. And there was suppport among residents. But there are questions as to what it will mean for the community. Will there need to be additional police? How much revenue will actually be brought in as a result of video gambling, which has already been established in Berwyn and North Riverside.

There was at least one forum to gain community input and the second was cancelled. We'll have to wait and see whether another is called.

What could be imparted by residents are questions about the impact this could have on Forest Park.

And Finally Casket Races

The standard line is Forest Park has more dead than living people. And so in the spirit of celebrating its roots, as it were, the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Development put on its first Casket Race this Halloween.

It was quite a race. And folks certainly did have a lot of fun, with a bit of creativity thrown in for good measure.

Here's to more fun like that -

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