"Such an ordinance would require property owners to place a display of their choosing and design in the windows of vacant units within 30 days of the space becoming vacant."

Dear Village,

When a space becomes "empty" please be advised that I will be displaying empty space. My product/service is rental space, so it is only logical that I display it as such.

Filling it with "seasonal and holiday" decorations along with item from your list of possible display items may only serve to give a prospective tenants the Illusion that the space in not available. In addition, what gives you the right to tell someone what to set up on private property.

Ah, here goes the village vs. private property discussion again....

is this up for discussion soon?

I think it's a good idea - Elmhurst has done stuff like this in their business district by the train station.

I would think any good landlord would do this from common sense, as well as trying to display his or her space to its best advantage.

Here's an idea - keep the spaces up to date and in good repair. Rent to reputable tenants with a solid business plan. The spaces will be in demand and never empty for more than 30 days and the dark windows ordinance will never apply...

You really have to ask is this really necessary. I would think a landlord or property owner would definitely want to rent his property. To suggest that that having cardboard boxes, or newspapers visible is causing the property to not be rented. Is kind of blaming the victim. Instead of suggesting ways to improve the business climate or try to land more business in GE the board comes up with another regulation. Which is obtrusive and may be unenforceable. Can you force a private business to put Christmas/Hanukkah displays in their window.

Just dumb.

Yeah, I guess your right, disguise the problem, give the illusion it's vibrant and bustling with shops and shoppers. What a great idea, lure shoppers in with your brilliant window display(s) and then disappoint them with an unoccupied shop! Maybe we could build some of those Hollywood facades too! Make it look like there's a bunch of new buildings!

If a property owner is too ______ whatever to keep his property presentable and lets it sit in disrepair the market value will fall and become more attractive to potential investors who either repair or replace it. Seriously, how long do you think someone wants to hold onto some Real Estate that isn't productive? It's as dumb as keeping a chicken that doesn't lay eggs and is nothing but negative cash flow.

Didn't they try the Holiday window thingy a few years back?! Christmas Trees and Holiday decorations sat in plain view, unchanged until June?!

I appreciate the concept, but I also disagree with the practice. What the Village really should do is concentrate on the multiple organizations it supports. The same organizations that are Officially in charge of bringing prospects here. Or better yet. . . . Work on changing the way Glen Ellyn is perceived by prospective investors.

They could do nice things like. . . . .Uhmmm Oh yeah, Actually give someone an occupancy permit instead of denying it because they have one faulty GFI outlet. Don't yell at the retailer, but let him run down to Soukup's, purchase a new GFI outlet wait the 5 minutes for it to be installed. Test the newly installed outlet and grant the permit instead of rescheduling the inspection 3 weeks later and letting their inventory go to waste. (yes this really happened).

Or. . . . . Maybe they can stop using the retailers as their own debit cards and possibly reassess and reevaluate the permit fee schedule?

Truly things like this would do way more for attracting and retaining business! Way more than a window decorating ordinance.

quote:

Originally posted by taxpayer:
Instead of suggesting ways to improve the business climate or try to land more business in GE the board comes up with another regulation. Which is obtrusive and may be unenforceable. . . . . .
Just dumb.

It's as brilliant as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic!!!

I wonder does putting a "Imagine Your business here sign" count .

It may. . . . . . They allow artwork by children.

That "hope and change" is working out as best as possible after the disaster the previous administration left behind. Cleaning up after that poop won't be overnight.