Some Voice Support for One Winnetka

Photo: Corner of Lincoln Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Winnetka.

While many of the voices shared regarding the planned One Winnetka development to take shape at Elm and Lincoln in downtown Winnetka has been negative, some gathered at a local restaurant last week to discuss the potential benefits of a 7-story structure.

“Downtown is dead. It needs a facelift,” Winnetka resident Ted Albrecht stated in a Chicago Tribune article.

Josh Keating went further, saying it would be “the greatest asset for Winnetka to evolve and grow.”

“Right now, we don’t have sufficient parking and this would address that. Anything that can be done to assist the community, I’m for,” he said.

Developed by local resident Dave Trandel of Stonestreet Partners, One Winnetka would create 120 luxury rental units, 45,000 square feet of retail space and two levels of underground parking in addition to a public plaza if approved.

Trandel said it’s important to take into account “all of our neighbors,” including Conney’s Pharmacy, a longtime local business which would be surrounded by One Winnetka if current plans follow through.

“We still hope to have an elegant solution for Conney’s,” he said. “We’re highly respectful of them. We’re trying to be respectful of everyone who touches this every day.”

One Winnetka still has a long way to go before action. The plan needs approval from the plan commission, zoning board and design review board before being sent to the Village Council.

“We’re coming here with an idea that takes into account all of our neighbors,” Trandel said. “We would hope there’s a lot of give and take. We do not profess to have all the answers.”

more via the Chicago Tribune