Skokie Vision 8

Skokie Vision #8: A mixed-income community is a just as well as socially and economically healthy community. What's a more appropriate place for housing than at population-rich Westfield Old Orchard Mall? And within this, choices for the 3,200 people who work at the mall and for surrounding employees at nearby schools, Skokie Hospital, the court house, and other retail?

The Skokie Village Board can make a good project -- the potential of 700 rentals at the mall -- better if it included more affordable housing. Focus Development listened to our grassroots voices of Skokie Neighbors For Housing Justice and proposes making 3.5% of the units affordable -- and said that they "intend to discuss further with the Board of Trustees" more affordable units or fees-in-lieu.

Let's make sure the Village Board takes them up on it, and advocate, advocate, advocate!