Skokie Voice forum explores economic development

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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:10AM

Westfield Old Orchard is expanding, Dempster Street merchants have formed a new association, downtown Skokie has become an ethnic restaurant district and a new CTA station is soon to open, certain to bring more people to the downtown retail area.

It’s no mystery why Skokie Voice, the active grassroots residents’ association, has chosen economic development as the subject of its first community forum in 2012.

The open forum on economic development is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton St.

“It’s a subject that continues to be in the forefront of people’s minds,” said Skokie Voice Chair Lisa Lipin. “People want to hear about the future of Skokie and to offer their own input. Skokie Voice wants to provide that dialogue.”

The forum will also allow the community to hear about the village’s marketing plan and its vision for economic development for the future, Lipin said.

Like all of the well-attended Skokie Voice forums, this one will include key stakeholders and decision makers. Scheduled for a panel discussion are Economic Development Coordinator Tom Thompson, Village Marketing and Communications Director Ann Tennes, Skokie Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Howard Meyer, Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie President Randy Miles, Shalom Klein of the Dempster Street Merchants Association and Valerie Shuman of the Skokie Downtown Alliance.

Skokie Voice was formed two years ago, primarily to improve communication between residents and village officials on issues of importance to the community. The group has sponsored a series of forums on those issues since it was formed, economic development being the latest.

“New businesses are cropping up on Dempster Street even though the economy continues to recover at a slow pace,” Lipin said. “Soon the new CTA station will open on Oakton Street. The Village of Skokie continues with its planning to revitalize downtown Skokie in the wake of the road diet plan last fall.”

Following the forum’s panel discussion, questions will be asked from the floor.

Skokie Voice has also set up an on-line questionnaire about economic development on its website to help shape the dialog during the forum.

To fill out survey questions or for more information about Skokie Voice and the forum, access www.skokievoice.org.