Skokie Village Board votes yes to Westfield Old Orchard revitalization

I watched the Skokie Village Board meeting on October 7, 2024, where developers from Westfield Old Orchard presented their plans for new apartment buildings and mall improvements. I have enjoyed a lifelong connection and 28 years of residency. I understand how vital Old Orchard is to the quality of life in our community. The strength of the mall impacts the entire area including the thriving commercial rental properties along Skokie Boulevard between Golf and Church Street. This mall is vital to The Village of Skokie.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Old Orchard generates approximately $14 million in property taxes each year. The largest beneficiaries of these taxes are Skokie’s school districts, particularly District 219 and District 68
• The mall alone contributes over $9 million in sales tax revenue, which could alone cover the operating budget, including payroll and benefits, for our Skokie Fire Department
• With total village sales tax revenue amounting to $36.8 million, Old Orchard is responsible for roughly 25% of all sales tax that supports Skokie
• 63% of the money spent at Old Orchard is from people who live outside Skokie infusing our Village with valuable tax dollars

It's worth noting that Westfield Old Orchard is not only following a broader trend among major malls in the Chicago area by developing multi-use properties with residential components, but it also stands out as the only mall in the region to offer affordable housing.

The future of Skokie is directly tied to the continued vitality and redevelopment of Old Orchard. Without the revenue and vibrancy, the mall brings, the following consequences are inevitable:

• Our public library, a cornerstone of the community, would face funding cuts, resulting in fewer services
• The Park District would be forced to reduce programs, and costs for existing programs—especially children's activities and camps—would rise
• Our schools, heavily reliant on property taxes from the mall, would lose crucial funding
• Skokie's free garbage pickup could be at risk
• Homeowners and businesses would likely see a significant increase in real estate taxes. This alone may render Skokie unaffordable to its current residents

In short, if we want to keep Skokie affordable and maintain the level of public services we currently enjoy Old Orchard must remain vibrant and appealing, not just as a shopping destination but also as a place to live.

I was disheartened to watch the board meeting and witness candidates for the village board, as well as a sitting trustee, dismiss the importance of the Westfield Old Orchard development. They criticized it for not meeting a certain standard of affordable housing, despite the fact that the developers are not legally obligated to fulfill this demand. It’s alarming to hear aspiring public officials who stive to be responsible for Skokie’s future fail to grasp basic economic realities.

If we want Skokie to remain strong, affordable, and a community that attracts both residents and businesses, we must support the continued success of Westfield Old Orchard. This development is essential to the village’s long-term sustainability, and it is disappointing to see opposition rooted in misunderstanding or misplaced priorities.

Now, more than ever, we must prioritize thoughtful decision-making and recognize the vital role Old Orchard plays in Skokie’s success. This opinion is recognized and endorsed by most Skokie residents.