John - having an apartment complex was already a part of their plans during the last election. Originally, it was condos, but when the housing market tanked and they lost their developer, they switched to the apartment idea. So perhaps you also needed to do a little more research before you jumped on board supporting the Metra Triangle development. All of us opposed knew this was part of their plans, and were against it too!

Plus, you should read Phil Kadnar's article in the southtown too.
http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/6878690-522/65m-bond-sale-possible-for-start-of-orland-main-street-project.html

Apparently putting in a saltwater heater pool and selling bonds to pay for it are good ideas too. The Village mayor, board & manager are banking on young professionals, who most likely will have student loans to pay off, to fork out this sort of rent to pay off the bonds.
I seriously suggest you do some investigation on what type of fools the Village is hiring to do all this research for them. There are empty apartments all over town, not to mention in similar complexes in other towns, including downtown. So the fact that the Village is banking on finding at least 295 people to fork out higher than normal rents in this economy is extreme finanical irresponsibility that Orland residents will be paying for in the long run.

Sadly Laura, the Village seems to have an on going trend of only telling us about the consultants who will back up their plans. My guess is there have been many other consultants who told them they were crazy. But I wouldn't be suprised if OP just kept spending money on consultants until they found a group greedy enough to take their money and say "yeah, this is a great idea!"

I disagree with you on there not being plenty of rental options in OP. I actually priced and researched rentals in Orland not that long ago. Most rentals in Orland aren't even listed in the papers or online. Drive around and they are tons of for rent signs never published, especially ever May & Oct when leases come up for renewal. Most rentals for 1bd apts/condos were $700-$800 a month, and 2bd were around $900-$960.

What happens Steve, when 10 years from now, the economy rebooms and they all decide that want to buy and not rent? Orland Park is going to be stuck with another Candlewood or Laurel community like there is in Justice. And still don't agree that empty nesters not wanting a big home are going to switch to a rental. When they sell their large homes to downsize, they'll most likely have the cash and definitely will not have any problems being able to get a mortgage on a smaller place.

This was just another half-thought out plan calculated by our over-zealoused board pushing forward on a terrible idea because their egos are to big to admit they were wrong.

Exactly, don't forget to figure in that NO ONE in the US truly OWNS there home, they are in a glorified IRS rentals.

I agree...it WAS a great community 20 years ago when other mayors put aside frivilous lawsuits & selfish spending.

And what person would drive all the way downtown, wasting all that gas and wear/ tear on their cars when they can take the same train and pay $1 for parking? I know many people in & out of Orland who drive/walk to 143rd lot instead of driving all the way downtown. So having more rental options in or out of Orland has no impact on a persons decision to drive downtown. So sorry - but that's a lame argument in favor of this complex.

Plus, I used to work downtown. I grew up in Orland and when I got my first job after college, I would have loved to rented in Orland. There were lots of options, but all way more expensive than moving to Palos Hills or Chicago Ridge. As a young professional at the time, I picked a place based on what I could afford, not location and amentities. (plus closer to downtown = cheaper train ticket) Once I got older, made more money, I moved back to Orland and purchased a home. And when my children are done with college, I would love for them to stay in town. However, at $1-2K a month, that's not going to happen, especially when other towns offer more activities for them. Having option in town only work if they're affordable. They're only going to struggle to pay the $2K if they can find about 3 roommates in an area who are ok with a saltwater pool being the only extra they can't get else where.

Steve...they move where the jobs are. How many busboys can pay that level of rent? Orland Park offers nothing but fast food jobs. Who is our largest employer? The mayor should have been developing a the I-80 corridor bringing well paying jobs...jobs bring the yuppies. Basic economics...Not Mayor Math!

One more thing - all business owners from the Plaza would love to continue to serve their loyal customers, but 2 problems:
1. The Village has proven they can't be trusted to play fair. Not only by their past actions, but starting more construction before the 2-14 move date is sure to kill what little business they have left. I wouldn't want to stay in a community where the Village Board just finds new ways to pour salt in the wounds. Plus the loyal customers will follow them where ever they reopen, in town or not. These businesses treated us like family, not like just a taxpayer who they could careless about making happy.

2. Many of these businesses need the eminent domain lawsuit money before they can relocate. And Village won't even start paying that out until AFTER 2-14-12...and even then, it's not all of it...and the Village wrote a loop hole allowing them to get out of paying if the property value goes down.

Absolutely true Teresa! This triangle project will break the Village...

Good Point Dave! There's a Public Hearing on Tuesday, Aug 9th 7pm @ the Village Hall. I think we should all show up an demand answers, especially to your question.

Also, according to the sign posted, it says for more information, contact the Dept of Development Services at 708-403-5300.

The Village should not be in the business of real estate development or leasing. I also want to know what happens if enough revenue isn't made in time to pay off the bonds?

you make a valid statement Dave. i couldn't agree with you more. you've been around long enough to know how it should work. me too! you've seen the previous plans. and as far as the village being deep into our pockets, i'm more concerned with the school districts, fire district and cook county as a whole. they are the ones deep into our pockets. every time i look at my tax bill, the VOP isn't really the problem.

I was on the Plan Commission for 13+ years, and Chairman for 5 or 6 of those years. The plan Commission has very limited duties with respect to developments. My questions about costs and if the Village should be financing the project are not appropriate for the Plan Commission. They are charged with evaluating the project strictly on objective concerns, such as density, appropriateness of zoning, meeting the various codes and other items. They can not and should not comment on costs, mareketability, financing, and other subjective concerns which should be directed to the Community Development Committe and subsequently to the Village Board. I realize that people want and need answers but it is frustrating to both the citizens and the Plan Commissioners to address questions that can't be answered. I am NOT suggesting that you would be wasting your time in attending the meeting on Tues, just that you realize the capability and responsibility of the Commission. Save the questions about costs and financing for the appropriate venues, and by all means, don't feel that the Plan Commission meeting is the last and only place to be heard.

Steve - its very easy to point fingers at the Village Board! Being personally connected to several directly involved with the Orland Plaza, I can verify that the only ones the village was "being extremely senstive" towards were themselves!

The bottom line that the owner was looking to sell is a crock of bs too! That only occured after it was very evident that the Village board was going to use eminent domain as a reason to take over the land. If you talk to any of the tenants you would know that. Unfortunately, you can't verify that with Mr Gee because he has since passed away. So, of course, his family/estate just wants to settle & move on now.

Its not just about "accepting change" either. Its about a Village Board, Mayor & manager never cared what was in the best interest for the residents who actually live in this part of town. We went to board meeting & our concerns were ignored. They've treated us like ignorant children & acted like we needed them to tell us what was in our best interest because we couldn't possibly know.

When many of us in this section of Orland Park moved here, it was to get away from the City of Chicago & all the bs there. We wanted the smaller, more layed back community. This part of Orland was uptown. Orland Sq was to be downtown. Long time residents didn't want Orland Crossing & we do not want the Main Street Triangle. There was plenty of room to develop by 153 train or south of 159th on LaGrange.

Totally agree with you Frank!

Please...do explain the "safe guards in place". The only safeguard that ever seem to be in place in VOP are the ones that protect the Village Board's own personal paychecks.

You must either be too new or Orland or connected to the board based on you comment....."input received gives us direction"

Too long of a history with this administration to know that this board never listens to input from the residents they impact the most. If they did, this project wouldn't be being built in this part of town.

"let's continue to work on this." - Its sort of difficult for residents to work with the Village, when the Village never worked with residents living in this section of the town to begin with. They had their chance to work with us, and treated our desires and needs like cr@p. So working with them isn't going to happen now. Too late. They all should be focusing on having another job set up because at the next election, they will be out. Fool us once (Orland Crossing) - shame on them, Fool us twice (eminent domain) - shame on us. We aren't standing by quietly to be fooled for the 3rd time.

And you might want to start saving your money...because you will be paying for this in some way or another. Only a certain % of property tax money can be allocated to each town. So Orland turns around and charges higher village sales taxes & fees to make up for the difference.

Steve - I do not have a fast food job in OP & I disagree with you. Karen's 100% right ! I also work downtown & take the train. I would not pay $1000-$2000 for an apt in OP. I currently do rent & pay less then $2K for a house! The only apt I would even consider paying that would be downtown. Plus I would save $150 a month I pay for monthly train ticket & parking not to mention 3 hrs commuting! Plus saving on gas, since downtown would also offer more public transporation & way more stores & activies to get to in a short time.

As I mentioned before, recently going to Carmel IN, & being in Naperville & Schaumburg, Orland should have focused on drawing big corporations to town first. You want young professionals & empty nesters to live in town & pay that amount of rent, then you need more than a train to lure them in. You need professional paying jobs, activities, more public transportation & other ways to save $. Orland needs to work with Metra on getting more trains coming into town. Metra is currently talking about cutting trains from our line. Naperville & Schaumberg not only have more trains & express trains to make for shorter commutes, but the businesses in town provide shuttle buses for employees commuting into to town to work. None of which is in Village plans.
So yes, a lot more work in a different direction is needed before this will ever work.

Right now, Orland is just comparing apples to oranges hoping to get everyone to jump on board.

Obviously the Mayor is a gambling man. Real estate development is not doing well at this time. Efforts should have been placed on recruiting light industry to the I-80 corridor. Once the jobs were established then real estate development would follow. He put the cart before the horse. Who are his economic advisors?

Input received? Are you serious? Read Kadner's article in the Southtown. The Mayor told Kadner that the critics of this project need to get over it. So much for input.

Andrea - No sense arguing with this one.....its a lost cause.....My experience when someone works for the Chicago Metropolitan Water & Rec District is that there's usually a "6 degree or less of separation connection" between them and McLaughlin's long list of policitial endorsements They'll always support OP Mayor no matter how unsound the idea is.

@ L. T. R. - Lots! However, other than Patch & other social media options, they've all been pretty useless attempts with our current elected OP officials & board members who intend to go full step ahead regardless of residents objections.

Phil Kadnar's recent conversation with our Mayor, pretty much sums up the overall response from the Village Board during the past 20 years when I & other neighbors voiced our objections to a board's plan that wasn't in our best interest.

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/kadner/6882096-452/kadner-an-apartment-complex-with-a-saltwater-pool.html
"McLaughlin said people would have to get over the “gulp factor.”

So OP Board needs to accept social media venues, as Washington DC has, as being viable forums for residents to have their voices heard instead of just sitting in board meetings hoping our request to speak gets approved.

It also proven a great way for residents who also oppose village plans to learn they aren't alone. Often the Board claims the majority of residents are behind them, so many used to think they didn't have a chance at change. But now with social media, people are learning there are often more opposed to plan, then they for one. So now people feel they finally have a better chance at making a change & I predict the next election will show an increase in voter turnout from who gave up on voting before & now know they're not alone.

So Thank You Patch for letting our voices be heard.

Well, I voice my opinion on the Southtown Star as well as The Patch. I've also started a facebook page to keep people informed about what is being done on the Triangle project. Not yet where I want it to be, but it will get there. Here's the URL if you want to check it out. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Metra-Triangle/134646149947463

Most importantly, I supported my husband and his ticket when they ran for trustee. I never signed up to be a politicians wife and it took alot of convincing to get me on board. Eventually, what swayed me was that I felt we needed to do more than just complain and instead, try to be part of the solution.

I will certainly be adding to the list as the 2012 elections get closer.

If you aren't an established political crony and Steve Dzierwa doesn't know you, you don't deserve to run. Great criteria with which to evaluate residents' rights to represent themselves in a town of 60k people. Under that theory, I suggest you step down from the planning commission because I've never heard of you.

Respectfully making a personal opinion:
I believe the find new candidates comment is obtuse. The problem will not go away if this project fails - will it? I'm all for development in our community, but why does the Village have to partner to make it happen? Village Manager Grimes was quoted that during the 2008 downturn in the economy, our Village was fairing well. We also live in a Village that was ranked the top 45th place to live in the country. If all that is true (and documented) - why the need to partner?
PS - I've lived in the community for over 12 years, my children go to school here, and I also don't plan on leaving anytime soon.

The US government is in a money pinch.

Orland Park thinks people will rush to give us money for their project.

Wrong!

Your common sense is appreciated.

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