Revitalize Des Plaines!

Went to Dotombori and it was GREAT! Mary, our server, was so nice and the sushi was fantastic!

Not just new restaurant's, but old ones like the choo choo, took the kids there to see what it was like when I was a kid. They thought it was great... I am glad to see that "Save the Choo " worked.

choo "

Well, the thing about theatres is that they bring a lot of people in to fill those seats. Same reason they put them in shopping centers so often - synergy. Plus it's probably the most distinctive building downtown. A figure I've seen many times is that for every dollar spent at a historic theatre, three are spent in the area. So that's the ripple ... See Moreeffect, the people come for the theatre, they see the restaurants and stores around and they come back or shop there. Including people who might not come to Des Plaines otherwise - it's an anchor. The theatre has had focus because it was threatened with demolition, and it got a lot of support from the community. But you're right - JUST having a theatre isn't going to be enough. It is a common starting point, however.

The Kinder building (and in my opinion the adjacent Tin Lizzie store) should never have been allowed to fall. The same bank that wanted to take down the theatre then said they were going to restore the Kinder building for their bank, then behind closed doors made a decision that it wasn't worth it. Nobody asked the community. And you're right - the replacement is a pale imitation and a joke, and the punchline was that it was for a pledged "local" bank that got swallowed up only WEEKS after opening. And there wasn't an organized community outcry, for some reason, although a lot of the community now seems to agree that was a mistake. I was part of the leadership at the Des Plaines Theater Preservation Society at that time, and we ultimately decided not to get involved because we were still the *Theater* preservation society, and it was the same bank that was after the theater that eventually took out Kinders, so there was concern that they'd just go after the theatre again. It was a mistake and it's time to stop the loss.

There needs to be business that is worth spending money at. In the downtown area there is nothing but travel agents and insurance. we need interesting little business that attract what people need. there are far to many companies that deal in the other ethnic backrounds that have nothing to do with purchasing what people need. and taking down the ... See Moreold instead of rehabbing has taken away from the history they did not even try to give and old school look they made it like a bic city. and Sorry fed up with the massive condos. all the old homes that could have been refurbished. This is not the town I remeber growing up. I have been hear my whole life 44 years and sorry it is not the same. I miss the old and the buildings. as for Sims restore the building and bring something in there that will bring money something fun even for the kids. Those people ran that place into the ground. What do we need another parking lot for?????? I miss the town I grew up in a night at the theater and then the treat Sugar Bowl Green River Floats or a Banana Split... AAAHHHH those were the days..........

Me too

I as well.

Hey, Des Plaines, buy up Elmdale Condominiums on Beau Drive. :) Several of the units belong to Deutsche Bank after a sppeculator went belly up and many of the residents would be happy to sell. You would get 14.5 acres of land close to Elmhurst Road and both Algonquin and Dempster. :-)

I understand the situation as to why they have to sell, but it still disappoints me because that would be the last of the "historic downtown" scenery of Des Plaines being torn down and something new being built in its place. This would further explain why I don't consider it home anymore, because of all the renovations to the city.

I think this is the first time since bowling became popular that there hasn't been a functioning alley downtown.

Thanks! I learned an interesting fact about my neighborhood's history.

His name was Socrates Rand - Dr. Clarence Earle later built a house next to the mill at River and Rand. Socrates Rand would probably be the first person I'd think of for a statue.

I would not apply Socrates Rand to Met Square but to another more prominent location... Met Square is a secondary location. In 2007, I submiitted an idea to then Ald. Marty Moylan for a Museum Campus connecting to the north of the McDonald's museum... it was briefly discussed in the local newspaper.

My original idea included obtaining the motel (... See Morean original DP hospital) next to MD's, vacating a small portion of Harding Ave. there to create a small park area that would include a recreation of the Old Mill and would also include a statue of Rand. This location at the foot of Rand Rd. would serve as a prominent "gateway" for DP.

The plan did overreach and financially doable at the time (as long as others didn't try to slap "add-ons" to it), but obviously with the collapse of the economy the plan has been put in the closet. Financing could've come from a combination of corporate donations, TIF funds, govt. grants and developer dollars.

I think the reason that Des Plaines has seen so many failed attempts to revitalize the business district AND attract use can be seen by riding the Metra train from downtown-all of the cities that that you pass through that have ben succesful-Park Ridge, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, et al, have managed to save most of their historical past and... See More especially their CHARACTER, while incorporating new development, there is character and also there are DESTINATIONS WORTH visiting- to just tear down the old and put up new condos and strip malls without any sort of overall plan has led Des Plaines to be a city with little or no character-and a city that has a business district that has little to draw anyone to it except a few restaurants-

bingo - you have to do both and respect yourself.

I would hope DP officials would take a short drive east on Busse HWY into Park Ridge (at Oakton St) and take a look at the train station that was built just a few years ago. PR made sure Metra did it tastefully and within the guidelines of their city... I hope DP follows suit.

Absolutely. Park Ridge's downtown station used to be a little brick box like Cumberland - you can barely tell it's a newer building. Downtown Des Plaines' station reminds me of Comiskey Park before it was changed to US Cellular Field - the last of the awkwardly modern stations before they went to full historical style.

I grew up 2 blocks from the Chicago location Milwaukee & Central Pk. As a kid, what a treat - it was like having a little piece of the zoo right in your back yard!! And I do remember the tiger and Chevleston the duck! It was a nice pet store! I plan on taking the kids over there before it closes - so I can get a little misty!