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Downtown Redevelopment

Downtown Site Preparation Project

The purpose of this project was to complete all the base site work for this development parcel owned by the Village, in order to enhance its value to interested developers. This project required approvals from Lake County Stormwater Management, the Army Corp of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The approvals needed by these organizations had been a major hurdle for previous developers. In an effort to continue the improvement of the area in a positive direction, the Village Board approved a contract with Earthwerks Land Development for $1,499,000 to prepare the site for future development. As part of this project, the Village acquired all the permits necessary to perform the required work. The project included removal of numerous low-quality trees, which allowed for the re-grading of the south side of Indian Creek and the installation of required site detention. Following that re-grading, the contractor installed native plantings that will not only provide visual appeal, but also protection against future erosion. The Village also enhanced the area by installing approximately 170 new high-quality trees along the stream bank area. Additional major improvements made to the site included the re-routing of a tributary creek on the south side of the project and the construction of a large retaining wall necessary for required compensatory storage of storm water. The Village also brought all necessary utilities to the site, including the installation of a water main under Indian Creek, which will enhance water service to all users in the area once the site is developed.

This project was completed on-time and on-budget last year, and the Village will be working with the contractor to ensure the plantings are successful this spring.