Downers Grove council hopefuls weigh in on myriad issues

While a discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion led off a recent forum for candidates running for the Downers Grove Village Council, it was by no means the only topic discussed.

Five of the candidates running for three open seats on the council also weighed in on historical preservation, public art and the future of the downtown business district.

The candidates in the April 6 contest are incumbents Greg Hose and Marge Earl and challengers Andrew Pelloso, Chris Gilmartin, Danny Glover and Tammi Karam. Earl did not participate in the forum or any of the candidates events leading up to the election.

Early voting is underway. The forum can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfU4r4aU4al8XFcEvhEn2ew.

There’s no question historic preservation is of significant importance in Downers Grove, and candidates were asked what more can be done to maintain the community’s character and historical significance.

Hose pointed out he’s already been involved in council action designed to further that goal.

“I was proud to support the 2015 modifications to our historic preservation ordinance,” Hose said.

He added Downers Grove has seen an explosion in the number of properties that have received landmark designation. To continue that trend, the village should partner with Friends of Edwards House, the Downers Grove Historical Society and the Pierce Downer Heritage Alliance to protect the homes that add to the character of the community, he said. He encouraged reaching out to the community and owners of historic homes that may not know how they can protect them.

Glover, who was born and raised in Downers Grove, said he supports efforts to continue landmarking but added, “I’m not super familiar on the topic, but I think that people need to be educated on it and they need to know what’s the reasoning that they should landmark their homes and if there’s any way we can incentivize them to do so, I think that might help as well.”

Gilmartin agreed that historic preservation is essential to the community.

“It’s important, the architectural character of our village, it’s critical to who we are,” Gilmartin said, adding the village should work to strike a balance between maintaining character and making buildings efficient.

Pelloso challenged the village to take additional steps when in comes to historic preservation.

“We need to not just look at the preservation of buildings, but we need to be looking at the places where those buildings are, the context of those buildings,” Pelloso said. “What about streets, what about streetlights, what about things that will add to the livability of that community and the historic significance of that as well.”

Karam, who moved to Downers Grove from a newer community, said she’s come to appreciate the village’s focus on its history.

“Not having grown up in Downers Grove, I didn’t really know the history of Downers Grove or understand it,” Karam said.

She said she’s come to appreciate the town’s heritage and the way it’s preserved.

“I grew up in a house that was a cookie-cutter house,” she said. “It was just like my friend’s [house] down the street. We all had the same house.

“When we lose that history, it’s gone.”

Karam said that if elected she’d support partnering with the historical society to see what additional steps can be taken to preserve the community’s history.

Promoting the arts and public display or art was another topic discussed during the forum.

“I feel very strongly that art needs to be an integral part of our community,” Gilmartin said.

A great example of expressing public art occurred during the summer when murals were painted on the boards used to protect storefront windows in the downtown business district after protests occurred in nearby communities, Gilmartin said.

“There was a tense feeling that took over Downers Grove,” Gilmartin recalled. “We saw artists come out and paint those storefronts in a way that demonstrated the unity that was reflected in our village. It’s the power of art that brings us together. It’s the power of art that lets us share our differences.”

He added there are numerous ways to promote art in the village, including partnering with the Downers Grove Park District and the Tivoli Theatre.

“These are opportunities to bring the community together once again as we emerge from the pandemic, and I will work hard to make sure the art community is supported – all different types of art – because it’s that diversity again that will bring us together,” he said.

Pelloso said the murals painted downtown were a wake-up call for the desperate need in the community for more art outlets.

“Art is a challenge. It falls low on the list of priorities,” he said.

Karam, who owns Cadence Kitchen & Co., agreed that partnerships were the key to promoting public art.

“I really think art can be done here in Downers Grove through engaging our nonprofits, our small businesses and helping bring those communities together to display our art, to have more art,” Karam said.

Hose said modifying the village’s sign ordinance would be a step toward encouraging public art displays.

“We absolutely have to do more to encourage art, public art, in Downers Grove,” Hose said.

Tweaking the sign ordinance would allow for additional murals but prevent ones that are advertisements for businesses.

Ways to improve accessibility for people with disabilities was another topic discussed by the council hopefuls.

Pelloso said he supports energizing village committees and commissions so that the council can be advised by individuals who are directly impacted by the village’s operations and infrastructure.

Karam took a slightly different approach, pointing out that such changes can be costly.

“There’s a cost to everything, and I think to deny the cost in all of this is to be naive in the decision,” she said.

The village would need to prioritize when making such decisions, she added.

“It’s hard to be perfect on this one,” Karam said.

Gilmartin took issue with Karam’s position.

“I have a concern about certainly the talks about things being budget conscious,” he said. “Certainly we need to be, but some things we have to invest in to make sure we’re taking care of those who need our assistance.”

Glover, who like Karam owns a restaurant in the village, said it’s important to bring individuals with disabilities into jobs in the community, as he has done at his restaurant

Hose said simple steps can be taken to address the problem. For example, sidewalk maintenance is a simple solution, he said, as is being mindful of challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when something is rebuilt.

Candidates also discussed the future of the downtown business district. Specifically, they were asked how the village can ensure that downtown is not limited to restaurants and service-based businesses.

Karam said the village should seek out more retailers that engage the community such as Fair Game, which sells board and card games as well as puzzles.

Glover agreed that a diversity of businesses in the downtown area is a good idea but said restaurants are a key component to attracting people.

“If there’s certain businesses we want to have in this community, we need to work to bring those businesses in,” he said.

Hose described downtown Downers Grove as appealing with “a hometown feel to it” and no corporate retailers. However, it’s made up of many small businesses that tend to change as they become more successful and require more space or owners pursue other opportunities.

“Things like this take place, it’s part of business, it’s part of life,” Hose said. “We want that thriving downtown and we want that mix of businesses.”

Gilmartin said the village’s focus needs to extend beyond the downtown area.

“It’s an effort that goes beyond downtown,” he said. “We’ve got a massive blight on 75th Street, retail that’s just sitting there empty and that’s discouraging.”

Pelloso encouraged a partnership between downtown businesses and eateries.

“Downtowns thrive when there are restaurants and businesses that work together,” he said. “The relationship between those entities cannot be ignored.”