8 | May 16, 2019 | The Northbrook tower news northbrooktower.com Northbrook Court’s Macy’s to close — despite outcome of redevelopment proposal Frankie The Volpe Family, of Northbrook Frankie is a 7-year-old French Bulldog full of personality. While he’s predominately a couch potato, some of his other favorite pastimes include serving watch to protect the neighborhood from small wildlife, going for long walks around the block and standing in front of the refrigerator until someone opens it up to give him a carrot treat. He also enjoys hanging out with his best friend, Jackson the Beagle. Together, the two of them co-conspire to catch chipmunks by combining their keen sense of smell and ability to dig. Thankfully, they have had no success to date. PLEASE HELP! The Tower needs Pet of the Week submissions! To see your pet featured as Pet of the Week, send photos and stories to Martin at martin@northbrooktower. com or at 60 Revere Drive, Suite 888, Northbrook. Martin Carlino, Editor After 24 years as one of Northbrook Court’s anchor stores, Macy’s will officially close its doors in the coming weeks, according to a statement from the department store company sent to The Tower. Carolyn Ng Cohen, a spokeswoman for Macy’s, told The Tower the store will run for approximately 8-12 more weeks before closure. Signage indicating a clearance sale and store closure was posted throughout the store in early May, according to Ng Cohen. Macy’s officials previously shared the information with its colleagues. Per Ng Cohen, “regular, non-seasonal employees who we are unable to place at Macy’s will be eligible for severance, including outplacement resources.” The store’s closure comes amid ongoing discussions in the Village of Northbrook for a massive proposed redevelopment of Northbrook Court. The potential developers are Northbrook Anchor Acquisition, LLC — which is a joint venture of Brookfield Properties and Ryan Companies — and Westcoast Estates, owner of the land where the shopping center is located. Brookfield Properties purchased Northbrook Court’s Macy’s store in early 2018 for $25 million, as reported by The Tower. Following the sale, Macy’s leased back the store to remain in operation. Included in the potential development is the construction of a 315-unit luxury apartment building where Macy’s now stands. Among other elements in the proposal are parking for apartment residents and guests, a restaurant, a fitness center, dance studios, amusement and recreation facilities and a car dealership. The Northbrook Plan Northbrook Court’s Macy’s store will close its doors in the coming weeks after 24 years as one of the mall’s anchor stores. Martin Carlino/22nd Century Media Commission concluded its months-long hearings on the proposed redevelopment during its Tuesday, May 7 meeting. Commissioners have yet to offer their official approval — or disapproval — of the proposal yet. The Commission is expected to vote at its Tuesday, May 21 meeting. Once the Commission delivers a ruling, it will make its way to Northbrook’s Village Board. But regardless of if the redevelopment passes, the store will still close. “Brookfield’s plans for redevelopment of the mall will impact the Macy’s Northbrook store. ... The decision to close stores is always a difficult one, but Macy’s is delighted to have served the Northbrook community over the past 24 years,” the statement reads in part. court From Page 6 whole of the village, not just a small part,” Slepicka urged the commissioners. “We can’t let perfect get in the way of good enough. I think the project as put forward is good enough.” The commissioners who supported the project were of the same opinion. “The developer has done what we asked,” Elisco said. “Reducing the height from 80 feet to 52 feet satisfied the bulk and mass concerns I had. It is a drastic reduction of the mass at the setback area. I believe this is a good compromise.” Comments made by remaining Plan Commissioners Jacobs: “The petitioner came back with the information we asked for and the changes we asked for. I believe they’ve made a good effort.” DeBartolo: “We’re here to advise and advocate for the community as a whole. They can’t go anywhere to the north, west and south.” Hebl: “I’m satisfied. It’s not a perfect idea. I think it’s a good idea. I do support this project.” Lawrence was the most resistant of the commissioners with misgivings. “I hope the grocery store doesn’t come back to haunt the project,” she said. “From knowing what’s working in the town with grocery stores it’s hard to bless the project. I feel it’s very close.” Melnick and Pepoon seemed on the verge of becoming proponents. “I feel this project is necessary for Northbrook; if they change it a little bit I’m all for it,” Melnick said. “The most important thing is Northbrook Court doesn’t go down,” Pepoon said. “The market research I read is that a grocery store is one of the best anchors you can have in a development. “The apartment building is in the right place; it’s just one story too high. Reduce the height a little bit more. I’d like to see more of a tweak.” Franklin had the last word. “We’ve heard your concerns,” the chair told the mall’s neighbors. “We made sure the developer did as well. Good, not perfect, is an accurate description. I think we’ve gone about as far as we could. We’ve pretty much accomplished as much as we can accomplish.”
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