News Briefs: Storm cleanups underway; Condo sales begin for new Optima project; HP to recognize Rhoda Pierce

Local municipal and utility crews are busy cleaning up after thunderstorms that included hail and high winds swept through the North Shore on Monday afternoon.

Power outages (ComEd outage map), downed trees and tree branches, and clogged sewers are among the challenges left behind.

Officials are requesting patience as they respond to a number of calls and offer recommendations for residents, including:

• Downed power lines and emergencies: Call 911

• Felled trees, downed branches and flooding (impacting roadways or public access): call nonemergency local numbers (Wilmette: 847-251-2700; Skokie: 847-933-8427; Winnetka: 847-716-3568; Kenilworth: 847-251-9210; Highland Park: 847-432-0807; Glencoe: 847-835-4111).

• Power outages: Report online or call 800-EDISON-1 or in Winnetka call 847-501-2531.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 7 p.m. for many North Shore communities, according to the National Weather Service.

In Skokie, the CTA’s Yellow Line service is suspended as of press time because of debris on the tracks.

Damage from the storm also canceled the rest of the tee times at Winnetka Golf Club on Monday with updates on Tuesday to come.

Sales begin for large Wilmette development

Optima announced last week that it has started selling condominiums with its next local project: Optima Lumina in Wilmette.

The development has 133 units for sale ranging from $595,000 (one-bedroom) to $4.59 million (four-bedroom), according to a release from the corporation. Two- and three-bedroom units are also available.

As previously reported by The Record, Optima announced its acquisition of the Imperial Motors site and its intentions for a second large residential building in August 2023. Imperial Motors property is directly north of Optima’s existing six-story, 100-unit Verdana complex at 1210 Central Ave. that was approved by village officials in February of 2020 and subsequently completed in 2023. 

The seven-story Optima Lumina gained final Village approval in October 2024 and has not yet broken ground.

Aside from the residential units, the development will feature 5,718 square feet of commercial and retail space on its first floor.

“Optima Lumina is unlike anything currently available on the North Shore,” said David Hovey Jr., president of Optima, in a statement. “We continue to see strong demand for luxury new-construction condominiums from buyers seeking exceptional design, walkability, amenities and a sense of community.

“Optima Lumina builds upon what residents love about Optima Verdana while introducing larger homes with premium finishes and extensive customization opportunities that let buyers create residences tailored to their lifestyle.”

Building amenities include a fitness center, locker rooms, yoga and Pilates studios, sports lounge with golf simulator, indoor pickleball and basketball courts, massage room, business center, library lounge, dog park and pet spa, children’s playroom and landscaped courtyard. It also offers the Sky Deck, featuring a heated pool with a retractable glass wall, spa and cold plunge, sauna and steam rooms, and more.

Starbucks at 739 Green Bay Road will move into a retail space within the development in 2028, the press release says.

Condominium sales at Optima Lumina are represented by Optima Real Estate Inc. and Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. The Optima Lumina sales gallery is located at 711 Green Bay Road on the ground floor of Optima Verdana.

For more information, visit learnaboutoptimalumina.com.

Community Service Award goes to …

Rhoda Pierce, a North Shore Water Reclamation District trustee and longtime Highland Park residence, will be awarded the Highland Park Community Foundation’s Jack Blane Community Service Award during a ceremony on July 31.

The event is from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Art Center of Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road.

The honor is named for longtime public servant and community advocate Jack Blane and recognizes those who go above and beyond to strengthen the community and improve the lives of others, according to the foundation.

In announcing the award, the foundation wrote that Pierce “devoted her time, talents, and leadership to civic engagement, education, the arts, and public service.” She is a former educator and executive director of the Illinois Arts Council.

Pierce was appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to serve as chair of the Illinois Arts Council Board and “has championed the vital role the arts play in enriching lives and strengthening communities — reflecting a lifelong belief that education, the arts, and civic engagement are deeply intertwined and essential to vibrant communities,” according to the foundation.

In 2023, the City of Highland Park recognized Pierece’s lifetime of service to the cultural arts with the Arts Award.