What are your thoughts?

There is an on-going attempt to create a new "downtown center" in Orland Park at 143rd and Lagrange, known as the Main Street Triangle Redevelopment project. This project has already resulted in enormous amounts of tax dollars spent to displace many successful businesses from the affected area. So far most, if not all of these businesses have re-located into communities other than Orland Park. Questionable management coupled with current economic times continue to push an equitable conclusion to this project for the taxpayers of Orland Park further into the future, if in fact one ever existed. When you find yourself in a hole, isn't the first rule of thumb to stop digging?

We are currently working on several topics for this blog. In the meantime, what are your thoughts and comments in general, and also in regards to some of the following:

• How much money has been spent so far on this project?
• How much money still needs to be spent to buy and / or relocate the remaining businesses in the affected area?
• How much return on this investment is Orland Park receiving now?
• Were the existing businesses consulted in the initial planning of this project?
• Should the existing businesses in the affected area have been offered preferential treatment or choice in the new retail area(s)?
• What has been the project's impact on the current Fiscal Health of Orland Park?
• Is the recently reported budget deficit, the cap on the Property Tax Rebate and the proposed property tax increase a result of how this project has or has not been managed to date?

Concerned Citizens of Orland Park is continuing to address this vital issue in an effort to create a course of action that best serves the citizens and business community of Orland Park both now and for the future.