===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET DRAFT MEETING MINUTES Downtown Revitalization Commission Monday, May 27, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order Chairperson Salzman called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 2. Roll Call Members present included Chair Salzman, Commissioners Beebe, Kolode, Myers, Phalen, and Rodriguez. Commissioners Ballines, Espinosa, and Sabathne were absent. Other individuals present included Business and Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse, Interim Director of Community Development John Sterrett (arrived 6:10 p.m.), Otto Rodriguez, and Mohammed Smith. 3. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Phalen made a motion to approve the draft meeting minutes from April 27, 2026 and seconded by Commissioner Kolode. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 4. Status of Downtown Efforts Director Chrisse provided the Commission with information on efforts currently taking place in the downtown. Ms. Chrisse briefed the Commission on the Downtown Modernization & Beautification Project. Ms. Chrisse provided details on the events of the project that have taken place to date and the timeline of tasks that still need to be completed. The anticipated completion of the entire project is end of 2027. Ms. Chrisse also provided the Commission with information on staff’s Economic Development Work Plan, specifically items that are related to downtown development and revitalization. City staff continues to work with developers interested in mixed-use and townhome development on the Central Main Street corridor. The Plan also calls for concept review of the West Washington Street development. Staff extensively promotes the financial incentive programs including the Retail & Restaurant Grant and the Downtown Investment Program. Quarterly meetings with downtown business owners and property owners have been occurring to improve communication with these entities. There have been ongoing programs to activate the downtown with events and arts/placemaking activities. Finally, the expansion of uses in the downtown is incorporated into the Work Plan. Mr. Sterrett went through the zoning code efforts that have taken place with a focus on downtown revitalization. This includes previous approvals such as allowing outdoor dining on the public sidewalk and permitting specialized instructional uses, such as yoga and cooking classes. Work has been done to draft a framework for allowing food trucks in the 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, Illinois F 630.293.3028 60185 westchicago.org Viviana Ramirez CITY ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] downtown within the public right of way. This item will be for future discussion by the Commission. Finally, form-based code has been introduced as a potential replacement for traditional zoning on the city-owned properties on the Central Main Street corridor slated for redevelopment. 5. Approach to Redevelopment Mr. Sterrett gave an overview of two different approaches to redevelopment – incrementalism and highest and best use. Each of these approaches offers its own benefits as well as challenges. Incrementalism Incrementalism approaches downtown (re)development as the accumulation of many small, low-risk improvements over time. The unit of change is the individual storefront, parcel, or block face rather than the downtown as a whole. Typical activities include façade improvements, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, small infill projects, streetscape and public space enhancements, tactical urbanism, and support for individual small businesses and property owners. Public investment tends to be modest in scale, recurring, and distributed across many sites. Highest and Best Use Highest and best use asks a simple question of each property: what is the most productive use this site could reasonably support? "Most productive" means the use that is allowed under the zoning, physically possible on the site, financially workable, and produces the greatest long-term value. Applied to the downtown, the framework points toward larger, higher impact projects, for example, a mixed-use building replacing a surface parking lot, a multi-story development replacing an underused single-story commercial building, or the assembly of several parcels into a single larger site. The premise is that some properties are performing well below their potential, and that redeveloping them at a higher intensity produces outsized benefits for the district. Public participation under this approach is generally concentrated in fewer, larger commitments, often including tools such as TIF, tax abatements, or land assembly. The members of the Commission engaged in conversation on these two aspects. Generally, most agreed that there are benefits to both, though highest and best use in the long term is most beneficial, while in the short term it may be advantageous to seek out incrementalism on certain properties. 6. West Washington Street Concept Discussion Outstanding Items for RFQ Issuance Ms. Chrisse went over the outstanding items that need resolution prior to finalizing the RFQ for the West Washington Street design, including evaluating the realignment of Fremont Street, whether to incorporate a housing component, the importance of revenue- generating property versus community spaces, and other elements. The Commissioners agreed that while evaluating the realignment of Fremont Street should not necessarily be included in the RFQ, an evaluation of the pedestrian safety aspect of the intersection should be. The Commissioners agreed that housing should be included as a component and the ===== PDF PAGE 4 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] proposed location of housing is where additional remediation of the site will be required. The Commissioners were generally in favor of some combination of revenue-generating property as well as community spaces but that revenue generation should be the primary target. One idea to account for both objectives is the inclusion of incubator space. The overall thought was to have not less than 80% revenue-generating with not more than 20% of open and community space. Other elements that the Commissioners felt should be included were a city square concept around the historic train depot. The Commissioners suggested that a market study be included to determine if incubator spaces including a food hall and small shops are feasible. Inclusion of arts is very important, and the best way to incorporate them should be analyzed. The possibility of locating City Hall at the Washington Street site should also be analyzed and considerations should be given to provide large meeting space within the structure to benefit the community. Futsal Fields Mr. Sterrett provided background information on the design and installation of futsal fields at the West Washington Street site. Mr. Sterrett stated that at their May 4, 2026 meeting, the City Council discussed a proposal from the Mayor to use a portion of the 14-acre City- owned West Washington Street property in the B-1 Downtown District for the installation and use of futsal fields. This endeavor would be in collaboration with Street Soccer USA and Missionary Athletes International. The DRC is being asked to discuss this project and determine if it is an appropriate use for the downtown at this location and to provide a recommendation on this project. Mr. Sterrett stated that if the DRC recommends approval, staff recommends that the futsal fields be placed in the southwest corner of the property, near the end of North Aurora Avenue to still allow ample space for redevelopment of the balance of the site. The Commissioners deliberated on the proposal. Commissioner Myers made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, to recommend approval of the inclusion of the futsal fields with the condition that they be placed in the far southwest corner of the property. With a roll call vote of five (5) yes and one (1) no, the motion carried. 7. Public Comment Otto Rodriguez, Executive Director of Street Soccer USA, spoke about the futsal field proposal that Street Soccer USA is collaborating with the City on. Mohammed Smith spoke about his popcorn business and how he is looking to partner with various nonprofits, specifically for hiring individuals with special needs. He would like to move into a brick-and-mortar location soon. 8. Adjournment Commissioner Beebe made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Commissioner Myers. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.