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MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
DECEMBER 2009
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
Introduction owners and developers, municipal plans, business parks by municipality, and featured
Goodman Williams Group and Cathy J. Maloney are part of a consultant team led commercial and residential projects.
by HNTB to prepare a Plan for the 159th Street Corridor that stretches through six
The CSEDC website (www.chicagosouthlandedc.org) also maintains a monthly calendar
communities from Markham on the east to Homer Glen on the west. This section
that lists events hosted by other planning and development organizations, including the
presents the economic development and marketing recommendations developed for
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the Metropolitan Planning Council
implementation in coordination with physical improvements.
(MPC), and the South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association (SSMMA).
Businesses and destinations along the 159th Street Corridor rely on multiple entities
In addition to their website, the CSEDC hosts a quarterly Economic Development Forum
to promote themselves and encourage growth. Overseeing this activity is the Chicago
that presents new developments and ideas for growth, with a different municipality
Southland Economic Development Corporation (CSEDC), which is charged with
highlighted in each forum. These forums are a good opportunity for professionals and
identifying development opportunities in approximately 66 south suburban municipalities
government administrators in the Southland to network and share ideas.
and marketing these opportunities to the private sector.
The CSEDC has played a key role in a number of progressive strategies. It has developed
On the community level, each municipality has a major role to play in attracting and
the Green River Pattern Book for the Calumet River Corridor, which provides energy,
supporting businesses, identifying opportunity sites, providing information through a
environmental, stormwater management, and physical design standards for site
variety of electronic and other media, and hosting events and promotional activities.
development. Currently, the Green River Pattern Book is being integrated into a larger
Finally, the Corridor itself needs to have appropriate signage and other physical elements Southland Green Pattern Book for the entire region. CSEDC is also a champion of the
that guide visitors and area residents to major attractions. It is in this arena that economic Greenest Region Compact of Metropolitan Chicago, which promotes the economic and
development and marketing efforts are closely tied to corridor-wide and municipal social viability of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the region.
initiatives to enhance the physical environment along 159th Street, as addressed in other Finally, CSEDC is involved in the Clean Air Counts campaign, a voluntary public/private
sections of this Plan. initiative to improve air quality in the metropolitan region. Participating Southland
municipalities include Orland Hills (Silver Certified), and Oak Forest and Orland Park
Each of these three levels of marketing activity is discussed in this report. The purpose (Bronze Certified).
of the recommendations is to help enhance the image and raise the profile of the 159th
Street Corridor while supporting the activities of the many businesses, recreational uses, Another excellent partner in the region is the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors
and civic functions that are located along it and are accessed from it. Bureau (CVB). As with the CSEDC website, all of the 159th Street Corridor communities
are well represented on the Southland CVB website (www.visitchicagosouthland.com).
The Role of the CSEDC Two communities, Tinley Park and Oak Forest, already provide links to the CSEDC
The CSEDC is the marketing hub of the Southland and is often the first stop for those from the economic development sections of their websites, and all communities should
seeking information on the area’s development opportunities. Their website includes consider a link to the CVB website as well.
valuable links on starting a business and navigating the permitting process, as well as links
to other sources of information from affiliated economic development organizations, The six municipalities along the 159th Street Corridor should take full advantage of
municipalities, and local colleges and universities. The website provides searchable CSEDC and CVB’s resources to help market their existing businesses and available sites.
databases for available properties and redevelopment opportunities in Cook and Will
counties, made possible through a state-run system at locationone.com. Other important
Municipalities’ Marketing Efforts
Each of the six municipalities has a stake in the health and mix of businesses along the
information includes business incentives, information for prospective new business
Corridor. These businesses attract shoppers to their communities and contribute to the
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159TH STREET CORRIDOR PLAN
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
tax base. In addition, a healthy commercial corridor establishes an image that reflects of commerce and any neighborhood business districts to assure that they appear second
positively on the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Recreational uses, while not and third in a Google search.
providing direct economic benefits, attract people to the Corridor and add to the appeal
of the area. In addition to residents and visitors, the municipal website is also an important resource
for real estate brokers and prospective business owners. Information on how to open a
The following marketing recommendations discuss efforts that the municipalities can business should be easy to find from the home page of the municipal website, ideally in
undertake, focusing on their websites and the ability to disseminate useful information in fewer than three clicks through a Business or Economic Development link. Information
a timely fashion. should include:
• Contact information for the person responsible for handling new business leads,
Municipal Website including an e-mail address. Communities should agree on one contact for all new
The south suburban communities, with the assistance of the CSEDC, could benefit business leads, with this information listed on all community websites.
greatly from guidelines regarding common business attraction, retention, and marketing • Links to other community websites, including the chamber of commerce, downtown
strategies. The most important of these strategies is the community website, the virtual business district, or other neighborhood websites.
gateway to each town and, increasingly, the primary source of information for visitors, real • Incentives such as grants or low interest loans for new or existing businesses
estate professionals, and local residents. Making information readily accessible online is looking to expand. These should be clearly outlined with applications that can be
the best way to encourage residents to shop locally, visitors to linger, and business owners filled out online and e-mailed to the appropriate contact.
to be able to market themselves better and tailor their business to the local community. • Links to demographics and yearly events.
Website visitors must be able to navigate the website quickly and easily, with links to the • Available property listings, organized by business district and type of space (retail,
most common information including: office, or other commercial). Property listings should include (at a minimum) square
• A complete list of all major events in the community by month or season. footage of the space, broker/building owner’s contact information, a link to a listing
• Restaurant listings, including menus and business hours. sheet, and a map with directions.
• Links to local stores and shopping centers.
Real estate brokers and prospective business owners frequently begin a search by physically
In many cases, the municipal website can avoid duplicating information by providing links driving an area. Due to the increasing reliance on web-enabled phones, “For Lease” and
to existing websites for shopping malls, local stores, restaurants, neighborhood business “For Sale” signs should be clear and legible from the street with an e-mail address and
districts, and local chambers of commerce. For those individual businesses without web website name included on the sign. Another sign, created by the municipality, could
sites, they should be encouraged to take advantage of the free marketing afforded by the be strategically placed in each business district promoting the community website that
municipal website. Municipalities can create a “get listed” campaign for business owners would invite prospective business and property owners to learn more about local business
to register each year via an online form requesting basic information about their shop or assistance and incentives. This practice would encourage brokers and building owners
restaurant. to interact with the municipality and receive information about incentives and business
assistance.
Online visitors typically find municipal websites by using Google or another search
engine to search for the name of the town. Therefore, it is important that the municipal E-mail Marketing
website be the first to show up in an online search. In the majority of the towns along In addition to websites, e-mail marketing has become an important tool for providing
the 159th Street Corridor, the municipal website ranks #1 on a Google search. It is also information. Almost all of the 159th Street communities utilize e-mail for their resident
helpful to review the ranking of other community-related sites such as the local chamber newsletters, and Tinley Park already has an e-mail marketing campaign. Sending
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December 2009
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
electronic news saves money, makes information easier to find and pass along, and is The Municipal Web Site Checklist below summarizes the major components needed to
more environmentally friendly than sending paper newsletters. create an effective municipal website. The Website Matrix on the following page displays
the features on the websites of the six communities.
Using this strategy can also aid in communicating with brokers, building owners,
developers and prospective business owners. A quarterly e-mail to brokers and Municipal Website Checklist
developers could include information on available properties, development incentives,
planned projects, and new businesses. The recipient list for this newsletter would be ☐ Community Website Google Rank #1
based on each municipality’s existing list of brokers and building owners, which could
then be expanded with a broker/developer contact list available through the International ☐ Shopping/Dining/Events/Attractions Link on Home Page
Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). This newsletter should also be available to local { Include sign-up for e-mail marketing campaign
residents interested in opening a business or owning commercial property, with sign-up ☐ For Shopping & Dining
information placed prominently in the municipal bulletin and on the website. { Divide community into business districts
{ List businesses by category with map, link to website
E-mail marketing is also an effective tool in attracting shoppers and diners to a community. { Include business hours, restaurant menus, reviews
Unlike the municipal bulletin that encompasses political meetings and street closings, a
marketing campaign focuses on shopping, dining, and events. Launching such an effort
☐ For Events & Attractions
{ List major events for entire year
could involve a business alliance between the municipality, chamber of commerce, tourism
{ Provide calendar of events for all to access & submit
office, and/or the public information officer. Components of a monthly marketing e-mail
{ Show Google map of attractions
should include:
• Promotions for new businesses, sales, and dining specials. ☐ Open a Business Link on Home Page
• Major events such as parades, art fairs, house and garden walks, and holiday { Community contact phone and e-mail
celebrations. { List of available properties by business district
• Links to business directories, restaurant menus, and store hours. { Separate list for retail/office
{ Map
Other Marketing Techniques { Broker contact/e-mail/listing sheet
One of the latest movements in helping local economies thrive is encouraging residents to { Incentives
“shop local.” Municipalities can launch their own shop local campaigns, which promotes ☐ For Lease/Sale Sign Guidelines
independent and locally-owned businesses and makes consumers aware of how they can { Register with Economic Development department
help to keep their dollars in their community. { Visible property address
{ Phone number, e-mail, website
One example of a viral “shop local” crusade is the 3/50 Project (www.the350project. { Sign with community web address and contact
net). The 3/50 Project is committed to “saving the brick & mortars our nation is built
on” and urges everyone to save your local economy...three stores at a time by choosing 3
☐ Quarterly Broker/Building Owner e-mail campaign
{ Available properties
independently owned businesses and spending $50 among them each month.
{ Incentives
{ New businesses
{ Redevelopment opportunities
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159TH STREET CORRIDOR PLAN
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
Website Matrix
Web Address First on List of List of List of Link to ED List of Enewsletter Enewsletter Email Link to
Google? Yearly Attractions Businesses Menus Contact Available Brokers Residents Campaign CSEDC
Main Info Properties Shoppers
Events
YES NO NO NO NO NO YES NO YES NO NO
Homer Glen www.homerglen.org
YES NO NO NO NO YES YES NO YES NO NO
Orland Park www.orland-park.il.us
YES NO NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO YES*
Orland Hills www.orlandhills.org
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO YES
Tinley Park www.tinleypark.org
YES NO YES NO NO YES YES NO YES NO YES
Oak Forest www.oak-forest.org
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES NO NO
Markham www.cityofmarkham.net
*Link is to Southland Visitors Bureau
Source: Cathy J. Maloney
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December 2009
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
Wayfinding and Identification • Indian Boundary Prairies – Markham
The 159th Street Corridor enjoys robust traffic counts ranging from 17,500 vehicles per • Tinley Creek Bicycle Trail – Various communities
day in Homer Glen near I-355 to roughly 33,000 vehicles per day between 84th Avenue
and Central Avenue in Orland Park, Tinley Park, and Oak Forest. Many of these vehicles Retail Businesses
belong to local residents who are already familiar with the area. For visitors to the 159th In addition to recreational attractions, the 159th Street Corridor is a key retail destination
Street Corridor, however, good wayfinding and signage is crucial. A visitor’s image of a in the region. Major retail clusters are located in Tinley Park around the intersection
community is improved when attractive signage helps identify and direct them to various of 159th and Harlem, and in Orland Park along LaGrange Road. Some of the major
destinations. Good signage is also an important economic development strategy that shopping centers include:
can direct visitors to shopping, dining, and attractions that they might otherwise have • Orland Square Mall in Orland Park is a 1.2 million square feet super regional
overlooked. Ideas for wayfinding are suggested below. shopping center with more than 160 stores. Constructed in 1975, it is anchored by
• When traveling on 159th Street, it can be difficult to distinguish between municipalities. JC Penney, Sears, Macy’s, and Carson Pirie Scott & Co.
Distinctive signing of similar design could distinguish each municipality while • Orland Park Place, an 800,000-square-foot shopping center is anchored by Bed Bath
providing overall consistency. HNTB will provide recommendations regarding and Beyond and Kohl’s. It is located on the expanding LaGrange Road Corridor near
potential types of signage. Orland Square Mall.
• With the growing popularity of smart phones, carefully placed signage can encourage • Orland Towne Center, located in Orland Hills, is anchored by a Wal-Mart. The Super
passersby to visit each community’s website to find out about local shopping, dining, Community Center has approximately 260,000 square feet of space.
events and attractions. • Park Place and Brementowne Mall in Tinley Park have 408,000 and 356,000 square
feet of space, respectively, at the corner of 159th and Harlem. Also located at the
Regional Attractions/Cultural Amenities intersection is Tinley Park Plaza with 250,000 square feet. Notable retailers include
Many recreational and cultural attractions are located along the 159th St. Corridor, Sam’s Club, Bally’s Total Fitness, Menard’s, and Burlington Coat Factory.
enticing visitors to stop, have fun and linger. Adding wayfinding signage will make • Oak Forest Commons is located at the northwest corner of 159th and Central Avenue
these attractions easier to find. Below is a list of attractions that should be included in a and is anchored by a Food-4-Less. Other retailers in the 110,000-square-foot space
wayfinding strategy, several of which are also highlighted on the following page: include Hollywood Video and Murray’s Auto.
Local Attractions The Corridor also has a number of large format, or “big box” retailers. Costco recently
• Orland Park Sportsplex – Orland Park opened a store in Orland Park near the southwest corner of 159th and LaGrange Road. As
• Centennial Park – Orland Park noted earlier, Wal-Mart is located on the south side of 159th near 94th Avenue, and Home
• Old Orland Historic District Depot is located at the northwest corner of 159th and Harlem in Orland Park.
• Old Town Tinley Park
• Forest View Farms – Tinley Park In between the shopping centers are many smaller strip centers and independent retailers.
• Historical Sites such as Hostert Cabins in Orland Park These shops and restaurants depend on the traffic and visibility that 159th Street offers.
Additional marketing efforts, such as being listed on the municipal website, could enhance
Regional Destinations their business.
• Cook County Forest Preserves – Midlothian Meadows and Reservoir
• George W. Dunne National Golf Course – Oak Forest
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159TH STREET CORRIDOR PLAN
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
159th Street Corridor Attractions
159th Street Corridor Attractions
Old Orland Historic District
Tinley Creek Bicycle Trail
Cook County Forest Preserve
Centennial Park
Indian Boundary Prairies
Orland Park Sportsplex Dunne Golf Course
Forest View Farms
Old Town Tinley Park
Not to Scale
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December 2009
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
Auto Dealerships • In the north suburban community of Libertyville, 13 dealerships have joined together
Twenty-two dealerships are located between I-294 and I-355, with the majority clustered to offer four $25 gift vouchers for local stores and restaurants with every car purchase.
in Orland Park and Tinley Park between 80th and 94th Avenues. Given the tremendous The promotion, which cost a total of $65,000, is being funded by the municipality.
impact that these businesses have on the local economy, an active and coordinated
marketing campaign for the auto row should be pursued. A 159th Street automotive As discussed previously, educating consumers about shopping locally is an important way
dealer “brand” could be used on banners, wayfinding signage, municipal websites, and to stimulate business. Communities should emphasize auto dealership tax contributions
other marketing outlets such as auto show events and joint promotional efforts with local to inform and remind residents how much the dealerships support the local economy. As
retailers and restaurants. with all other types of businesses, communicating with residents about new businesses,
promotions and events will encourage them to keep their dollars in their hometowns.
While joint efforts between dealerships can be challenging, there are several successful
regional examples. The map below and the following table highlight the existing auto dealerships on the
• The Naperville Test Track was created from an alliance of 11 dealers and the City Corridor. Dealerships shown in red (Thomas Dodge, Mancari’s Chrysler Jeep, and Mason
of Naperville. The seven-acre track was constructed in 2006 for approximately $4 Subaru) had either closed as of the summer of 2009, or had lost a significant portion of
million and is maintained by the Naperville Test Track Association, which shares all their business due to the discontinuation of several Chrysler dealership agreements.
costs. th
159 Street Corridor Auto Dealerships
159th Street Corridor Auto Dealerships
Not to Scale
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159TH STREET CORRIDOR PLAN
MARKETING THE CORRIDOR
159th Street Corridor Auto Dealership Addresses
Name Brands Address Community
Thomas Dodge Dodge 15941 S 94th St Orland Park
VW of Orland Park Volkswagen 8920 W 159th St Orland Park
Roesch Mitsubishi Mitsubishi 8900 W 159th St Orland Park
Mancari’s Chrysler Jeep Chrysler, Jeep, Isuzu 8821 W 159th St Orland Park
Apple Chevrolet Chevrolet 8585 W 159th St Orland Park
Orland Park Nissan Nissan 8550 W 159th St Orland Park
Orland Toyota Toyota 8505 W 159th St Orland Park
Infiniti Infiniti, Nissan 8500 W 159th St Orland Park
BMW BMW 8470 W 159th St Orland Park
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz 8430 W 159th St Orland Park
Rizza Cadillac Cadillac, Buick, Hummer 8425 W 159th St Tinley Park
Saturn of Tinley Park Saturn 8355 W 159th St Tinley Park
Community Honda Honda 8340 W 159th St Orland Park
Community Pontiac Pontiac 8325 W 159th St Tinley Park
Mason Subaru Subaru 8301 W 159th St Tinley Park
Lexus of Orland Lexus 8300 W 159th St Orland Park
Rizza Acura Acura 8150 W 159th St Orland Park
Family Hyundai Hyundai, Suzuki 8101 W 159th St Tinley Park
Rizza Ford Ford 8100 W 159th St Orland Park
Rizza Porsche Porsche 8130 W 159th St Orland Park
Land Rover Land Rover, Volvo, Jaguar 8031 W 159th St Tinley Park
Audi Audi 8021 W 159th St Tinley Park
B&M Auto Sales Used 15820 Arroyo Dr Oak Forest
Community Mazda Mazda 5900 W 159th St Oak Forest
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December 2009
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