Sunflowers or Subdivisions

                               by Helen Gallagher

In 1995 the federal government shut down the Glenview Naval Air Station, and passed ownership of   the 1,121-acre military field to the Village of Glenview, Illinois. When the base closed, the land sat dry and dusty for years. While no one was watching, birds, wildflowers and prairie grasses thrived.

More were spotted each year.

Over highly charged meetings and planning sessions among politicians, developers, and  preservationists, a comprehensive land re-use plan was drawn. With 15% of the land in Glenview
suddenly becoming available for development, the plan was used to explore options and establish goals. According to Nancy Firfer, Glenview's Village President, "In developing the plan, we included  members of every governing body that provides services, three schools, the park district, the public library, at-large citizen groups, the Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Navy. Our goal was to balance the needs for each use, and develop a community that people wanted," says Firfer.

With 15% of the land in Glenview suddenly becoming available for development, the plan was used to explore options and establish goals.

Today, this development, dubbed "The Glen" is becoming a 21st century neighborhood in a village that just celebrated its 100th birthday.

… more   (contact helen@gallagherink.com for full story.)