The State of the Village? Sound

Evergreen Park Mayor James Sexton presented his Annual State of the Village address to EPCC members on April 18 over lunch at Barraco’s Restaurant. He shared updates on many new businesses that have opened over the past year and additional businesses that will open in the coming months, including Whole Foods in the Plaza, scheduled to open in January 2019.

The next day, April 19, we learned that Carson’s woes will extend to the Evergreen Park store. However, Mayor Stexton told the Patch he is already speaking with interested retailers about leasing the Carson’s space. The white building abuts several other new businesses that have opened recently in the newly reimagined Evergreen Plaza, including DSW, Five Below, Petco, TJ Maxx, Ulta, David’s Bridal, Raising Cane’s, and others. Mayor Sexton said the Plaza development is in its final stages, with 14 of the 30 stores already open. In total, the project will have created 500 retail jobs and 200 union construction jobs.

In his address, Mayor Sexton stressed that economic growth is strong in Evergreen Park, which issues 500 business licenses each year. He said the Village government operates with a balanced budget, and all pensions are fully funded. Home values are rising, and the Village continues to invest in recreational services for residents, with a new $6 million Community Center scheduled to open in April 2019.

Mayor Sexton urged business owners and residents alike to support businesses in Evergreen Park rather than shopping online or in neighboring municipalities. “One percent of everything you buy here comes back to Evergreen Park, which allows us to continue to do good things,” he said.