Frequently Asked Questions

No!! 

We are not against development. We support development that supports the character of Wilmette. 

No One. 

Optima is a good company that builds a good product; however, their design is not what Wilmette residents desire. We welcome development, just not the proposed design. Also, the Village Board will of course listen to the current residents, look every village plans ever written and demand a better design.

NO. 

We are non-partisan group of Wilmette residents with a common goal to Preserve Wilmette Character. In fact, you could say this issue is bringing people together.

A short answer is yes, but its complicated. 

Research shows that the building was being marketed for lease mainly. The current owner was very fond of the building and concerned about its potential development. A quote from the current owner regarding the building and redevelopment "This fabulous, beautiful, English-looking architecture was so pretty, I did want to deface to Wilmette, I did not want to deface the block".  

Please keep in mind that Winnetka just approved a development, One Winnetka, after 15+ years of back and forth to get it right.

We are not quite sure. 

We are trying to figure this out. In fact, in the 2006 Village Center Redevelopment Study, Village resident specifically tell the Village they are against modern glass buildings AND thought the very first Optima on the corner of Central and 11th was specifically thought of as a mistake. Page 47

Affordable housing is an important issue in Wilmette. There is a position that real estate in Wilmette can be cost prohibitive. We won't try to argue the cause of price issues. We do believe that any development going through the PUD for approval MUST provide a public benefit. This benefit MUST be in kind to the variances sought by the developer. ALL residents need to receive a benefit, the Village must not trade one value for another.

There is so much to unpack with this question. Every Wilmette comprehensive plan and study showed that Wilmette residents desired traditional building designs. On the most basic level, Optima Verdana did replace a modern style building. Ok. Fine.  However, the existing Imperial Motors building should be replaced in kind. 

YES!  There are a number of neighboring communities that regulate design. In fact, there is a group of communities in Northern Illinois that provide design guidelines for their Village Centers. Here is a list of a few of the communities that regulate design.

Arlington Heights

Barrington

Deerfield

Glencoe

Glen Ellyn

Glenview

Highland Park

Kenilworth

Lake Forest

Naperville

Oak Park

Winnetka

Please see the Neighboring Communities page on this website.