Brown says, "the population density doesn’t support retail development for downtown..." And he's right. Traditional retail like a boutique clothing store, or cell phone store, or whatever won't make it. The cost of rent would be too much to overcome. But a great restaurant or two right at Block A, with at least one right on the water. Wow! That would work. My evidence? Wauconda. W-A-U-C-O-N-D-A. Tired of repeating myself in these posts ... Visit Lindy's Landing. or Slyce. or Bulldogs in Wauconda. I don't have access to their financials. But what I do see are lines out the door at Bulldogs (just go there this Friday or Saturday for dinner and see for yourself). And Lindy's in the summer? There's never enough parking due to the crowds who drive from all over (including L.Z) to dine, drink and enjoy the lake. Wauconda has become a destination spot for many. And it's the restaurants that have led the way. Don't have time to visit? Then read the 7/15/12 Daily Herald article on Wauconda entitled, "Downtown Wauconda's new look a hit" ... http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120715/business/707159902/

Just apartments? UGH. What a wasted opportunity for 18000 existing Lake Zurich residents.

The board of trustees is a collective joke. Downtown "Destination Lake Zurich" is pathetic. I don't need a consultant to tell me that Lake Zurich needs restaurants and a more vibrant night life.

Now, they want to go back to the drawing board? Ha! Downtown could be amazing with a few restaurants on the lake. If you build something that brings in all the Lake Zurich residents that have disposable income, you can build momentum for every other fairy tale you want.

Developers bring in money because they can make more money. Do the trustees really feel like they are going to act like the bank? What business man would allow that? The trustees have either lived a very sheltered life or they are living in fantasy land.

We need to find some people that really know what they are doing and execute a plan. No more consultants and in fighting. Get together or be gone.

Brown has no idea what he is talking about... If the population density doesn’t support retail then where is the data to prove it? In the meantime while the village continues to prove their inability to execute, why not clean up our current downtown which looks like complete crap. We're living in an area surrounded by towns that have become desirable to live, walkable downtowns, small shops, restaurants, etc. and instead of following suit we rely on the charm of the town to drive people to live here. Real smart guys/girls real smart....

What ^ she (or he) said. Mr. Brown you could not be more wrong. Who do you think will rent said apartments? Is there some great waiting list for apartments in LZ? All the displaced divorcee's are already over at the Landings. What we want is a place to go and socialize, which we currently do...but in W-A-U-C-O-N-D-A, because there is no where fun or unique to go in Lake Zurich.

Can't agree more! Where is the evidence for the demand for rentals??? The restaurants could be a real draw.

I get Brown's point about retail if he's talking small "boutique" shops. I've owned a retail spot In LZ. Add up rent, staff, phones, security, advertising, insurance, etc... it's quite a large hurdle each month given the demographics in LZ alone.
But restaurants. Ahhh, those are different. The good ones draw people from all over and thus expand the demographic beyond LZ to be viable.

For example, I've been to Cary several times this past year to go to The Tracks (burger and a beer) and Galati's (italian). But I don't go there for their boutique shops. I couldn't even tell you what they have.

And I've been to Wauconda as noted above many, many times. Strickly for the restaurants. I know there's a coffee place there but I don't drive all the way there for coffee. I go there for the lively restaurants and direct-on-the-lake views in the case of Lindy's. And I've been to Palatine (Durty Nellies, Gianni's) and Barrington (McGonigals and Wool Street). But again, I don't drive to either of those communities for boutique shopping. I couldn't tell you what's there. And of course there's Deer Park and Kildeer (California Pizza Kitchen, Gianni's, Biaggi's, etc.). Other than the Apple store I'm really there to dine.

So it's restaurants that make a town a destination in my book. And holy smokes ... add lake views into the mix and you've really got something! Has Brown taken into consideration the ability of a great lake-side restaurant to draw people and $$ from outside LZ?

I was recently at the new restaurant area in Vernon Hills at the corner of Old 22 and Milwaukee. What a great area...they have the Bar-b-que restaurant, a deli/yogurt place, a hamburger place and a bar that sells different types of beers. Food can be ordered in from the other restaurants from the bar. There were huge crowds there on a Saturday...loads of family groups. That type of area would be wonderful in block A.

Oh, and there are apartments around the outskirts of the restaurant area. Kind of like a mini Glen (in Glenview).

Be like a Bank???? I dont know where to start!

I hope the village takes the time to read peoples posts on this site. Every article ends up being filled with people challenging their decision making process. I probably don't know as much as I should about the village board members so shame on me, but from the outside looking in it appears as though the real issue is the people who make it up. It really comes down to who gets stuff done and in this instance that is clearly not the case.

I hope "The Market" is listening... It sounds very clear what Lake Zurich wants!
Lake Zurich, come to these meetings! Get involved!
I was at the meeting on Tuesday night to show the Board and Committee that the Lake Zurich downtown development is a priority. I got the sense that the Board has a strong understanding of what the residents want. Sprawka, Mastandrea, and Poynton, all stood up for the residence stating that we want to see restaurants and retail. “Block A is the best view of the lake,” we all want to be able to share the best view of the lake!
Let's help them make it happen!

I just noticed that Baccus Nibbles moved to the old Bagel Place. That would have been a great restaurant for the downtown area. Again the downtown looses out. Why is this project taking so long? Start over? Sorry but thiese group of leaders need to step down and let someone with a clear vision take the reins already.

Right on Paul. It's not complicated. Start with Block A. Demand a restaurant space in the first floor. And sure, condos or apartments above are fine if that makes financial sense. But a restaurant on the lake. And outdoor patio restaurant seating on the lake. And even a bit of sand and water access a' la Lindy's in Wauconda. Again, on the lake to draw people from Palatine, Barrington, Kildeer, Long Grove, etc. They don't have a lake and I'm sure would love to dine on a lake!

If a developer proposes anything without the restaurant ... show him or her the exit door.

And note by "restaurant" I don't mean Denny's, or Applebee's, or some other uninspired chain. A local place like Baccus Nibbles, or D&J, or heck even Tacos el Norte. Sheesh! Imagine a margarita and mexican food on the lake in the summer. WOW!

Here's my wife's brilliant rule-of-thumb. If a restaurant has pictures of food on the menu keep on driving. That means Denny's, Friday's, Applebee's, etc., or any other similar uninspired chain that kills a good rack or ribs or serves dry chicken breast 500 different ways.

if you are wondering why this is no interest ...... LZ has a terrible reputation with developers. WHy do you think on the less desirable developers are chasing the downtown gig? Building department lacks education, inspectors are contractors that failed in their own business. Look what this village attracts! Savers, GoodWill, Cash for Gold- Baccus Nibbles came to LZ because the rent is HALF of the market price, the state paid them for there property AND relocation expenses. LA Fitness generates no sales tax and the building was a steal! The Board doesnt get it..........

Could it possibly be that some important people live on the lake and don't want their view obstructed? Hmm?

Our previous developer, Greg Smith, had $300M in private investor money and was speaking with major restauranteurs and retailers - he was literally chased off because he wasn't their guy.
The Board is better than half controlled by The Lake Property Owner's Association of Lake Zurich. Look it up. They do not want more people enjoying the lake or downtown. The have already taken a run at closing one of the beaches to decrease access by us grubby landowners. They sure don't want any restaurants or additional residences near the precious water.
There are 5 slots coming up for re-election - we all need to wake up and get our people in, or stop complaining when these myopic lake purists screw the other 17,000 of us over.

We really need some young people to get more involved and run for the five slots- Wauconda has passed up LZ ...... whats next...... Ford Heights?

Issue #1 Officials and staff have NO expertise in development. Friends and relations yes, expertise no. Issue #2 Teska consults to every village in the area. How many city planners have been graduated in the last 10 years?

Look at what works--The Glen, downtown Libertyville, Randhurst Village--then talk to those developers.

Mixed use, walkable, unique sense of place, owner/operator shops and eateries with a kicked up nightlife to attract visitors.

It takes a village, not village officials, to make this work. There are rarely more than a dozen residents at LZ meetings. Show up, and speak out.

Deborah Barry, candidate, Lake Cty Board, D19--this includes Lake Zurich, and I have special experience making private and public sector work together on destination marketing.