Journal Reporter

If the proposed Uptown redevelopment in Park Ridge is Mt. Everest, then the proposed Dee Park upgrade is something like Pikes Peak.

That is one way to compare the two redevelopment projects now being planned by Park Ridge officials and private developers.

The city put Dee Park on the back burner in 2003 while they concentrated on getting Uptown off the ground. Major decisions on redeveloping a five-acre site in Uptown around the former Bredemann dealership area and the water reservoir site are expected to be made this coming spring. Construction could start on new mixed uses by fall.

Now, as 2004 begins, Dee Park is back on the front lines. A public hearing on an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan for the Dee Park area will be held Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. by the Planning and Zoning Commission in city hall. This area includes the commercial-residential area surrounding the intersections of Northwest Highway, Oakton Street, Dee Road and Busse Highway.

The proposed amendment consists of a revitalization plan for Dee Park that provides for potential redevelopment opportunities. The city council is expected to consider the amendment later this winter.

"We don't envision redevelopment in Dee Park on the same scale as in Uptown," said Carrie Davis, city planner. "But we do feel there are opportunities for redevelopment of certain parts of Dee Park."

Already in place for Dee Park is an agreement with Metra for a new commuter station on the west side of Dee Road, to replace the old, small, deteriorating one on the east side of Dee. The city is still negotiating with the owner of the Brown's Chicken restaurant property at Oakton and Busse Highway, to purchase that property to make room for an expanded parking lot for the new station.

Metra is expected to begin construction on the station sometime in 2004, Davis said.

The city has worked for more than a year with the Dee Park Work Group, made up of business and property owners from the area, in developing the proposed plan. Also giving input has been the firm of Trkla, Pettigrew, Allen & Payne (TPAP), the city's planning consultant.

The city says its vision for Uptown is to create a more vibrant neighborhood shopping district centered on an improved Metra station, stronger urban design, increased multi-family residential density, is more conducive to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and improves open space.

Officials also say they want to move some buildings closer to the street and put parking behind commercial properties, and upgrade streetscapes with pavers, new street lights, benches, landscaping, etc.