The Beecher Village board is considering doing a solid for the downtown businesses, but needs to figure out an economical way to do it.
At the March 24 meeting, Mayor Marcy Meyer said that the businesses could use a boost and thought that putting up a new sign in a visible location listing all of the businesses names on it would help.
She said neighboring Manteno has a sign like that and it would work in Beecher as well.
But the sticker shock of an $8,000 estimate from one vendor gave her reason to pause.
“It was double or triple how much we thought it would be,” she said.
But all is not lost.
The mayor said the village can start looking for quotes from other companies and money can be used from the Tax Increment Financing district funds rather than village funds.
Still, the idea is to pare that $8,000 bill down before proceeding.
“We can look around for signs, if you think that’s a nice idea,” she said. “I really do think we need to do something. It would give the downtown businesses more visibility.”
Food truck changes?
Meyer said some businesses are concerned with food trucks in the area. In 2023, the village crafted an ordinance that she thought would work out for everyone.
But a problem recently arose.
“One issue that came up with a particular business owner that I talked to was that it’s competition for them and it’s on Route 1,” she said. “It’s mobile and It doesn’t have the same amount of expenses as a brick and mortar store does.”
The mayor is suggesting that the matter be taken to committees to look it over for potential changes.
Kicking in for Kicking it Back
The Kicking it Back Center, a non-profit organization with karate and other programs for senior citizens and youths, installed a new ramp and the village approved $2,500 out of a TIF fund for sidewalk work around the ramp.
Pickleball courts open
The board announced that the Pickleball/multi-use court was scheduled to be open on April 1.
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