Joe McElroy of Naperville, a city planning consultant, encourages a spirit of cooperation when it’s time to redevelop declining shopping malls and corporate campuses.

There was a time when cities with regional malls, like Oakbrook Center, Old Orchard or Fox Valley Mall were considered especially fortunate. Same with major corporate tenants, like Allstate Insurance in Northbrook and McDonald’s Corp. in Oak Brook. But today Allstate has sold its headquarters, downsizing into smaller quarters, while McDonald’s moved to new space near downtown Chicago.

Joe McElroy of Naperville said two major trends–online shopping and improved technology–contributed to the changes. “Why should somebody travel in bad weather to buy, say, dog food, when a company like Chewy will deliver it to your front door?” he said. “And why should an attorney go to the office every day when they can do legal research online and meet clients via Zoom?” And the Covid pandemic accelerated these trends.

Faced with such changes, many municipal officials are dealing with now-vacant malls and office buildings. Many will become mixed use, with housing and limited commercial, but both property owners and public officials will need to consider several factors: traffic; air and noise pollution; lighting, flood control; and neighbors.

“It’s important that people who live nearby the redeveloped properties be involved in the design,” said Joe McElroy of Naperville. “Otherwise, there is a good chance political opposition will sink the redevelopment proposal.”