SUNNYSIDE
DODGE TO EXPAND EXISTING BUILDING AND RECEIVE FACE LIFT TO ACCOMMODATE JEEP
FRANCHISE ALONG WEST ELM STREET
At their December 7, 2015 meeting the
City Council paved the way for Sunnyside Chrysler Dodge Ram to complete a building expansion at 4810 W
Elm Street which will accommodate a Jeep Franchise. The proposed
building addition (3,870 square feet) will be to the east side of the existing
building on the north side of Elm Street.
Sunnyside has
operating a new and used car sales and repair business on the north and sides
of West Elm Streets for over half a century and is the anchor of the West Elm Street. Below
is a rendering of the new look coming soon to the north side of West Elm
Street!
The acquisition of the Jeep Franchise
and accompanying building expansion is critical to the ongoing revitalization
of West Elm Street and will solidify Sunnyside as a tenant at this location for
years to come. This expansion, which has been in works for
several years, could not have been accomplished without the ongoing partnership
between the City and Sunnyside and the McHenry
City Council’s commitment to be proactive in inducing economic investment and
reinvestment in the area of West Elm Street between Meadow Lane on the east and
Ringwood Road on the west. This
is an ongoing and long-term commitment to revitalize an area of the City which
has been struggling for many years. It’s
partnerships and cooperative relationships such as these which are mutually
beneficial, in this case to Sunnyside and the City of McHenry!
IT TAKES AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO
SUSTAIN AND GROW A HEALTHY LOCAL ECONOMY…EVERY ONE CONTRIBUTES!!!!
You’ve
heard the old adage: “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same principal applies to economic
development: It takes an entire Community to Sustain
and Grow a Healthy Local Economy.
Economic development is more than demographic and socioeconomic data,
desirable traffic counts, ideal market segmentation and great visibility. Sure these are essential, important and
definitely factors utilized when a company decides to locate, expand or even
remain in a particular community.
However, economic development is more, a “package deal,” and every one in a community must do
their part to contribute to
the sustainability and growth of a community’s economic health and
well-being!
Several
years ago the City of McHenry and the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce
partnered in the production of a three and a half minute community marketing
video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4vcbV9atAo),
produced by the Northwest Herald and highlighting numerous quality of life benefits or attributes the City of McHenry
has to offer. The purpose of the video
is to promote and sell the City of McHenry as a great place to live, visit,
enjoy time off as well as do business. Take
a moment, watch the video, send us suggestions how it could be
updated/improved, forward it to a friend outside of the City and see what they
think.
When you watch the video you will see
vast positive quality of life elements our City has to offer including:
quaint downtown areas, access to quality healthcare, schools, McHenry
Riverwalk, open space, proximity to different types of recreational
opportunities (Fox River; Prairie
Path; Moraine Hills State Park, 36 City parks consisting of 640 acres, dog
park, public boat slips, golf courses and coming soon a new Recreation Center
exceeding 18,000 square feet…) historic fabric, small shops, large
retailers and numerous international companies, etc. and if you listen, in the
video, you will hear the words “Every
one contributes….”
Companies are not solely purchasing a
property or building, they are buying into everything the City of McHenry has
to offer “a community package deal.” People who work
locally also shop and enjoy recreational and other leisure activities
locally. This includes all the quality
of life factors previously mentioned and others which vary by community. Thus
if you sell the City of McHenry as a great place to live, visit, enjoy
recreational opportunities as well as work you are assisting in the promotion
of our community’s “economic package.”
As I’ve stated in a past post, even
if all buildings were occupied economic development would nonetheless always
remain a top priority due to its dynamic nature.
I mean this as economic development in a holistic sense: business growth, expansion and retention,
community events and festivals, (eco, heritage and agri) tourism, education,
healthcare-all of which contribute to an environment conducive to sustaining
and growing a healthy local economy!!!!!!!!!!
Remember, economic development is
continually changing and adapting to meet the needs of consumers and producers. Many uses are finite and vacant
buildings in any community are a normal part of the business/economic
development lifecycle but those vacant buildings will be filled, some quicker
than others, as companies, market and economy continually evolve.
Think of your favorite businesses and
ask yourself what it is it about this particular company which makes me utilize
their service; come to shop on a regular basis or if it’s you're an employer-what
characteristics of the business makes it a desirable place to work.
I made this statement in a previous post but I believe it’s worth
repeating: If the people who reside in and/or do business in the City of
McHenry, work in or for the City and love and take pride in it do not promote
the City of McHenry and sell it as a great place who will???
Every One Contributes!!!!!
Please help us keep our community vibrant and strong to the greatest
extent practical for businesses, residents and visitors alike! The City Council is continually evaluating
ways to assist in promoting business, tourism, community events and
service! Economic development is an
ongoing effort the City is committed to and is a community-wide effort. At the end of the day the entire community
and everyone who is a part of it benefits!
Coming in future blog posts:
- What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?
- Free
Business Resources
- Exploring
New Marketing Opportunities to promote business attraction, retention and
expansion…
- 2015 Year in Review…. Coming soon!
- International
Council of Shopping Centers Conference
- How do
brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?
- What
are Class A, B and C spaces?
- Franchising? What is it? What companies offer it and what
challenges are associated with attracting a retailer which operates
exclusively using franchising?
- Future
trends in economic development: “market segmentation; “pop-up” stores;
“placemaking/third places”
- Challenges
associated with economic development…
Douglas P. Martin
Director of Economic
Development
City of McHenry
333 S Green Street
McHenry, IL 60050
815.363.2110 (d)
815.363.2173 (f)
815.790.4752 (c)
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