Park Ridge Might Spruce Up Vacant Storefronts

Park Ridge officials are busy revising city sign laws that might lead to the decoration of vacant storefronts, city officials said. 

The city's Sign Task Force – a recommending body to the city council – is looking at the city's entire set of sign laws in a bid to revamp the old ordinances, said Jim Testin, the city's community preservation and development manager.

One issue that the task force will consider is whether to recommend an ordinance that encourages advertisement or decoration in vacant storefronts, he said. 

Previously, such a recommendation wouldn't have gotten much traction because most storefronts were always full. And if they were vacant, they weren't for very long, he said.

But in the last few years as more businesses have closed because of a poor economy, it's left behind a number of long-term downtown vacancies, he said. The idea has been implemented in other towns such as Skokie and Highland Park. 

The task force – whose volunteer members were appointed by the mayor – is in the early sign law review stages, he said. Currently, task force members are acquainting themselves with the city's current laws' meaning and implications, Testin said. 

While vacant storefronts are major considers, the task force is also deciding how to update electric sign and sign lighting laws, he said.  

"We are seeing changes in the (sign) industry," Testin said. "There's a lot more animated signs out there to consider.  

As far as a window decoration law is concerned, Sheila Duda – owner of TeaLuna and a member of the city's Sign Task Force and Economic Development Commission – believes whatever is ultimately recommended should help local businesses thrive and reflect well on the city, she said.

The task force could stipulate that only Park Ridge businesses can advertise in vacant spots, so out of town company can't lure customers away, she said.  It might opt for window clings that simply decorate the windows, she said. 

"There are a lot of different opinions out there," Duda said. "I'm just glad the city is even looking at this. 

Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce's Executive Director Gail Haller, who is also on the city's Economic Development Commission, said many local business owners are likely in favor of some sort of window decorations law. Merchants may believe it'd boost the city's business image after Metra train riders have seen many vacant stores for months, she said. 

"It is disheartening to ride the train into the city and and see empty window after empty window in Park Ridge," Haller said. 

While the task force will meet this month to discuss window decorations, it will be about four months before it comes before the city council for consideration, Testin said.  

As the board reviews each of the sign laws, it will make recommendation to the council that will make the final decisions, he said.