Des Plaines,a suburb located west of Downtown Chicago,is looking to create a “second downtown” according to city leaders and other officials. The same officials say that the new downtown area of Des Plaines would have many restaurants,stores and plenty more business apartments for those who live and work in the area and need a place to live. While not the “official” downtown,this area of Des Plaines will bring a once-dead area of the city back to live with a variety of exciting projects.

Many officials and residents have noted that the area on Oakton St. doesn’t have many short-term rental options,and that with a new downtown area planned there,it would be an opportunity to create some housing solutions for these people. Even though the area is quiet,it doesn’t have to be,many city leaders argue.

“I think we’ve all become accustomed to them being quiet,” 3rd Ward Alderman Denise Rodd said to a local news reporter earlier this month in Des Plaines. “It’s really dead. There’s no activity on that section of Oakton.”

A new plan to finance this endeavor is working its way through city government now,something that is expected to take a little bit of time and effort to ensure that the process is done correctly. Funds will be diverted from a tax increment and will be used to fund this project.

There’s a chance that other districts may be hit with new taxes,including Cook County,Maine Township High School District 207,Des Plaines District 62,Oakton Community College,the Des Plaines Park District and Des Plaines Library District.

This project is obviously one of the main projects that will receive funding from the diverted money,but other projects would include things like sidewalk repair,street improvements,park enhancements,and many other things that make the community as a whole a better place to live and raise a family.

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