Zion Market Square ( BIG white elephant)

[mandi]

Zion Market Square ...... otherwise known as where the elite wanna meet.
It's my understanding that MS. D. Rogers aka city economic developer is scouting new business to set up shop in Market Square, stating that Market Square is looking for UPSCALE shops. May I ask, WHO is going to drive to Zion,(crime pit of lake county & home of haunted house haters) to shop at one of their upscale shops? no one ... Zion is middle class at best. so I ask again .... WHO EXACTLY IS SHE EXPECTING TO SHOP HERE? WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE BUSINESS OWNERS IN SHILOH VILLAGE MALL?
OUT THE DOOR PEOPLE ... your business means nothing if it gets in the way of an upscale shop, or for that matter anything the city leaders might fancy. Another pipe dream for the city of abandoned homes & business. Just take a drive down Sheridan Road, count the for rent signs if, that is, you can concentrate over the sound of sirens.
Don't forget the abandoned / foreclosed homes in Zion that the city can't keep maintained ( unless it's next door to one of them) so the city leaders answer: we need expensive condominiums in Market Square to go with our upscale shops.
No, what we need is voter getting out to vote and fix this huge mess of a city.

[SMDAFO]

Upscale shops in Zion?

Oh please, you're killing me.
I think I'm going to wet myself.

All there is in Zion, is a bunch of losers driving and walking w/ cell phones glued to their ears.

[Reality]

Zion is Zion. When are they going to learn you can build it but they WON'T COME! It's out of the way, unaccessible from the east, and has what to offer? Gas stations, used auto sales, and greasy spoons. That about sums up Sheridan Rd. But that's all this community will ever support. How much money was spent improving Sheridan Rd with the fancy brick work and light posts and benches and what was the gain? How many businesses have closed or sold out since? What new ones have come and survived? Lok at the never ending vacancy rates on Sheridan Rd. The only growing business concern is the Hospital. People come from all over the world, not to shop but to save their life. Shopping is the last thing on their minds. It's a shame the city doesn't support the existing business's and keeps trying to lure in additional ones to compete with the struggling ones it already has. Ain't gonna work. Hasn't worked before, certainly won't work now. Be happy with what you have, support the existing businesses and accept that ZION will always be.......ZION!

[rdb704160]

As I understand it, the bulk of the Market Square building will be a Best Western Hotel, restaurant and fitness center. I don't see any reason why the hotel and restaurant shouldn't succeed as most of the clientele will probably be from the hospital.

But many of you are right - Zion is perceived as, and in many ways deserves, the image as an undesirable community. But what should it do? Just lay down and die? Or should it aspire to something better?

I say kudos to Zion for trying to improve it's image, if not better the community overall.

[Reality]

And what of the existing hotels/motels and bed & breakfasts that rely on the hospital? The Zion area needs another hotel like it needs another greasy spoon. The hospital can only support so many hotel/motel rooms and restaurants. Additional competition is killing the existing businesses in town. Business owners who have worked hard and invested in Zion are struggling and don't deserve another restaurant or hotel. The city has been luring business into town for how many years now and what is the result? Zion is still Zion, and nothing has really changed.

A big problem with Zion is it's location. Look at the communities that surround it. Waukegan, North Chicago, Winthrop Harbor. You can't put a gem in the center of a pit. You can build it, but they won't come.

[SMDAFO]

You also, can't polish a turd

[Grace]

rdb704160 wrote:

As I understand it, the bulk of the Market Square building will be a Best Western Hotel, restaurant and fitness center. I don't see any reason why the hotel and restaurant shouldn't succeed as most of the clientele will probably be from the hospital.
But many of you are right - Zion is perceived as, and in many ways deserves, the image as an undesirable community. But what should it do? Just lay down and die? Or should it aspire to something better?
I say kudos to Zion for trying to improve it's image, if not better the community overall.

The problem is they are not trying to better the community as a whole, it's just for the chosen few. The economic developer was overheard very recently telling a local that if the current business she wants to move to market square didn't move as planned that the city was willing to spend $1 million to bring in a corporate restaurant. WTH? She certainly knows how to spend the taxpayers money well, especially since the city has no money to mow the grass at the hundreds of vacant and abandoned homes in Zion. Just more ridiculousness.

[Hugh Jass]

The city doesn't own those abandoned properties, so why would they be mowing them?
Dummy!

[Grace]

Hugh Jass wrote:

The city doesn't own those abandoned properties, so why would they be mowing them?
Dummy!

Dummy? ok .... Well according to City of Zion code department, if a property is within the city of zion and it is not properly maintained then it is up to the city to step in and maintain the appearance of the property, for safety and appearance. Then the city will fine the owner, when that does no good then they will file a lien against the owner of record for payment of services rendered. I did not make this rule, it belongs in the lap of the city council. If the city were not supposed to do this then why did they clean and mow and haul away cars and garbage at the house next door to a local commissioner? WHO IS THE Dummy -> u

[2funny]

grace, just check out the name of the poster, probably got that from sitting around posting about things he/she doesn't know anything about.
2funny

[Tukus]

Why should anyone who doesn't live here be concerned. I own many properties in Zion They are al well kept, clean and considered desirible for Zion. I do not section 8 any of them and require two months rent deposit plus I hire police investigators (other cities)to do background checks on perspective tenants.
I have single handedly held the welfare trash at bay in each of my rental neighborhoods. In my sections, they are invisible.

A Market Square surrounded by condos on Zion's main strip is a great idea. Banks will not fund any section 8 proposals. More sooner than later, the Zion trash will either move back to the Chicago projects or up to Wisconsin where welfare benefits are more accessible. Condo owners with eventually force the Dollar General-type store out.

Remember, with the exception of that dirty little Hispanic Grocery store on Sheridan, you can't buy the goods and services offered
by all of the merchants on the MAIN STRIP with food stamps! I have seen posters that say no LINK CARD MERCHANDISE OFFERED HERE.
This is the New Millenium version of....

[Hugh Jass]

Grace wrote:

<quoted text>
Dummy? ok .... Well according to City of Zion code department, if a property is within the city of zion and it is not properly maintained then it is up to the city to step in and maintain the appearance of the property, for safety and appearance. Then the city will fine the owner, when that does no good then they will file a lien against the owner of record for payment of services rendered. I did not make this rule, it belongs in the lap of the city council. If the city were not supposed to do this then why did they clean and mow and haul away cars and garbage at the house next door to a local commissioner? WHO IS THE Dummy -> u

I know what the ordinances state and I also know about liens for services rendered. I was just sucking you into a discussion.

On one hand, somebody is saying that the city doesn't have the money to mow, but on the other hand, you're saying that the city charges the homeowner for services rendered.
They also have the right to confiscate the property after 2yrs of unpaid taxes.

So, there should be money, right?

Sounds like a bunch of double talk to me.

[Gabbie]

When the city inspectors determine that a vacant property or neglected, property needs mowing (grass too high) or maintenance (broken fences, loose siding, etc,)city maintenance crews are dispatched to perform the work. The cost of the work is predetermined by city statutes. The owner of the property, wheather it's a bank, finance company, mortgage company or individual is billed. If the bill is not paid in 60 days, or if the property is in full forclosure a lien is placed on the property for that amount plus all fees and legal costs. The rest is Real Estate 101.

[Mandi]

Gabbie, true in most cities, but not in Zion ( again depending on who you know), I speak from first hand experience. We have such a senario in our neighborhood and we were told by a commissioner that it's not worth the time and energy, not to mention the costs to file the lien against who ever might be in control of such homes. They ( city reps) say the banks are uncooperative, etc., However, I called the bank that is in charge of the home in question and their files show the city has never contacted them about the maintenance on this property. I relayed my complaint and they sent someone out within 2 days to clean up the property. i'd say the city is yet again, falling down on the job! Maybe they need to take "running of a city 101".

[Gabbie]

After doing a little research, Mandi, you are absolutely right I can't believe the City is neglecting to bill nearly $7,000 dollars a week to homeowners who's properties fall into disrepair because of neglect and laziness. I'm glad there are people in this town who care enough to push legislation around the city council to force the City to impose liens through a secondary agency the City Council will have no control of. Finally a Code Compliance agency that is controlled by the county and not the City of Zion. We can get our city back!

[Raph Smith]

Lane Harrison, I beieive you are lazy, incompitant and don't have the knowledge to effectively manage the city of Zion. I don't like you.

[Gabbie]

Dear Mr. Raph Smith,
You are 100% correct, but, you cannot spell.

[Mandi]

Gabbie, do a bit more research on other things the city leaders neglect as well, you will be very suprised. They seem to hide alot of "city business". Keep it behind closed doors, things they wouldn't want the "public" to know.
I've seen more taxpayer abuse by this city than anywhere I've ever lived. I've seen the guy that drives the silver city car running his personal errands on city time and with a city vehichle, I've seen police on patrol stopping for stamps, movies, cell phones, the list goes on .... not to mention calling Zion city hall, asking for the mayor, if I'm lucky enough to get anyone to answer the phone at all, I hear he's not in today, I ask will he be in tomorrow? reply is always the same ... he doesn't come in unless he has an appointment, i asked if he's a full time mayor and am told he is. My question is why isn't he in his office full time ( yes with the exception of those all important meetings he seems to have every other day.) I encourage you to try it sometime, call everyday for 1 week. See what kind of response you get. You will be stunned that anyone making this kind of money off a broke city chooses when he works and when he doesn't, i guess what suprises me more is that not many complain. maybe they are all working two jobs to keep up with the skyrocketing taxes.