I think a roller rink would be great. I used to go to Fireside Roller Rink on Roselle near Hoffman Estates. Palatine has Orbit, but this area doesn't have anything like that. It's great excercise regardless of weather plus great family fun.

I think a big outdoor sporting store, like Cabellas or something, complete with indoor ranges for shooting and archery.

I believe the adjacent property is for sale (Taco's El Norte, Subway, etc.). Someone with vision and $$ should buy them both, level them, and put something grand in that location. Love El Norte but they could move elswhere in town.

Bargain(overstock) Mini Mall with a food court, We need more restaurants in Lake Zurich too.

Maybe Suzy B should TIF the property, sit on it for 10 years and then... do nothing. That would fit the pattern.

Something definitely for the teens n Lake Zurich since there is nothing for them. Growing up in LZ there has never been anything for the 14-20yr old crowd. Nothing will be built there though since the owners won't sell the property. LZ needs to put pressure on them.

Once upon a time there was a struggling municipality with an upcoming election on April 9. On a blustery day, after a long 4 year slumber, Mayor Branding awakens to realize there is a need for economic development in Lake Zurich. Oh please. Where has she been for four years? As usual it will be all well-turned phrases, "ideas", very little action, and blame for the inaction being placed on everyone else. How many developers has the mayor personally met with during her tenure? Has she personally sought out any businesses? Why hasn't she formed an economic development committee during the last 4 years? It’s time for the residents to tell Emperor Branding she is not wearing any clothes, and for this sad fairytale to come to a well-deserved end.

How about another grocery store??

ANOTHER GROCERY STORE??? MORE RESTAURANTS? HAVE YOU NOT LIVED IN LAKE ZURICH? THOSE ARE BOTH THE LAST THINGS WE NEED...HOW ABOUT SOMETHING FAMILY ORIENTED? SOMETHING FOR TEENS TO DO SO THEY AREN'T FALLING INTO THIS HEROIN EPIDEMIC WE HAVE GOING ON? AN AFTER SCHOOL CENTER? A POOL HALL WITH ARCADE GAMES ETC...INDOOR WATER PARK WITH AN ARCADE? SOMETHING FUN THAT TEENAGERS WOULD ENJOY ALONG WITH SOMETHING FOR THE FAMILY.

A full Lifetime Fitness would be great there. The outdoor pool would be very popular in the warmer months!

A really big Portillos!

More ideas on Facebook-- Hobby Lobby, ice skating rink, LZ park district facility--I like the Hobby Lobby, not one in this area. https://www.facebook.com/LakeZurichPatch?ref=hl

Tear it down and put in a much needed pool and water park for families to enjoy. An outdoor concert space or a music venue would be interesting. I like the roller rink idea as well. We can't sustain any more grocery stores or restaurants. We need more entertainment options for both families and adults.
Commenter Lead Follow... is on the money regarding our village President and the board of Trustees. If any of them were truly there to serve our community, we would have seen progress on this space AND our downtown, a long time ago!

Rock wall climbing, or a joe caputos. I hate driving to palatine:) indoor sporting: archery, top golf, we can have a giant net on 12 lol portillos/barnellies pasta would fit. Or a giant chucky cheese. Hobby lobby, gordmans.

We need that to become something that all residents could find useful. It needs to be a family oriented location with a restaurant attached. There is a place called hidden cove that has it all. We were there for my daughters gymnastics state meet last year http://www.thelegendssportsplex.com/ that's the link. It doesn't have to be fancy but it has to be useful. There was also a pizza place attached that sold beer and wine. It was perfect. My kids want to do stuff and I'd like to be there with them but be able to let them roam.

@mountain girl there was a climbing wall there too it was huge. @daddio we will be getting a Mariano's on 22 very soon so we cannot over saturate the village with grocery stores lets lean into being more social more active as a whole. Cherie I like the roller rink idea but as our kids get older and we get older that may limit who goes there, we need an all ages with kids, without kids no difference. Michelle I like the water park idea I actually thought of that years ago almost looked into it myself but I think that has the same issues as the roller rink, I don't know but I like that we are talking about it.

why more restaurants?? don't understand. we have vacant place that can stay open that are made for restaurants....so unbelievably against that idea lol

No, we need the RIGHT restaurants, in the right places. Just because someone opens a business, does not mean they are good at running a business. Most businesses fail because of poor planning and lack of knowledge on the part of the owner.

The most important question has not been asked. Is the owner willing to accept a certain idea or a certain tenant?

Before I read any comments, my first thought was roller rink and it seems to be popular! I like that idea, or how about some type of wonder learning lab for kids? I agree a family oriented place would be best, but other areas have great learning centers for kids to explore their senses and help them learn and grow fundamentally. Or some sort of interactive space that hosts shows, concerts, comics, fashion shows, business expos, cooking demonstrations, wine pairing classes, shows for kids etc, anything that can be rented out to various groups that can target ALL ages and interests.

Mr. Gerlach, as a candidate for Trustee, I would think you would know the specifics of that property and the fact that the owner isn't interested in doing ANYTHING with the property because they will continue to receive rent from KMart (Sears Holdings) for the next 5 years. The answer is NO; not, unless someone can beat that price.

There can be myriad ideas on the wish list, but in order for ANYTHING to happen, a prospective business owner has to be aware that there is a property available for rent/purchase/development. The properties have to be marketed in a systematic way, and someone has to actually go out and seek out businesses to come to LZ. And it isn't good enough to just have an 'idea'. One needs to first acquant themselves with the feasibility and zoning issues involved on every property in the village so they can sell any idea to a business/developer.

I believe the village of Wheeling had the same situation with a vacant eyesore KMart. Through strong village leadership, some legal processes they got rid of the huge building and the parcel has been redeveloped for many years. Maybe the leaders of LZ should contact the Wheeling folks and figure out how to get it done for LZ?

No matter what it is, this town's bound to give the business a hard time.

I just want to see someone get off square one with this and many other properties. I understand the rent is steady income for the K Mart property. What is the leasehold? Is there any appeal that can be made to the property owner to rent to someone new. There are many good ideas above but putting words into action is what needs to be done. All the ideas in the world won't help if we don't have an action plan. And I really don't think we need another pizza parlor. We need a heavy hitter, a known entity to come in and know that they will be supported by the community with business. Someone who might be able to negotiate with the current Lessor. Cabela's was not bad with a shooting range, fly fishing classes, etc. Right across from a lake that sounds like an ideal spot with some agreement with the Village to sweeten the deal about use of the Lake for Fishing lessons?

"Right across from a lake that sounds like an ideal spot with some agreement with the Village to sweeten the deal about use of the Lake for Fishing lessons?" HAHA! I think sirens and red flashing lights just went off at the LZPOA!! The Village may own property on that lake, but past a few swim lessons, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell those people around the lake would allow anyone on that lake. Hell, I'm surprised they allow residents to swim off of Breezwald or Paulus.

How about a dinner theater, like a Dixie Stampede!
I worked summers in that store back in it's heyday - lots of great memories!

I would love to see an Ice Rink that could be used by Lake Zurich High School as well as the public (like the ones they have in Barrington and Lincolnshire). We also need meet and greet play places for dogs, however, I'm not sure how an indoor dogpark would work? Also, I know we have tons of restaurants, but I would love to see a Steak and Shake close by (rather than having to drive to Hoffman Estates). Or another Chipotle, as the one in Kildeer is really crowded.

I would love to see a hang out place for school age or at least under 21 kids. Pool tables, juice bar, music, just something to keep the kids busy without sitting at home or needing to be on a sport. Put bean bag chairs in a carpet room and have movies to watch. Something to keep the kids busy that is hip.

Get a shuttle for it too so that the kids who dont have cars or can not drive can go and hang out as well!

I believe the Y already has a program like this, and there is a new program here is LZ http://lakezurich.patch.com/articles/buffalo-grove-lake-zurich-students-launch-teen-dance-club

the Y program is more babysitting than anything and its not a hug space the kids can "hang out" at any time. It is something the parents have to register and it is mainly after school. The gym atmosphere to me wouldn't be ideal for a teenage hang out not to mention i think it closes at 6. The dance club is cool but wouldn't appeal to the kids that we really need to keep busy. The center i was thinking about would be open until curfew and would be able to walk in at anytime and be open on the weekends it would be specifically for the younger population and not a shared space with other age groups. The y is for adults babies and teens so its more family, this wold be mainly teens with the occasional family night. Not a lot of troubled teen look forward to chillin with there parental units. :) they need a safe place to hang with there friends to keep them from getting into trouble.

Has anyone read the Newsline? The Village President informed the residents why there can not be any action taken. Based upon the comments in the newsline it would appear this was a publicity stunt by our Village President before an election which back fired.

Funny how these things become news items only around election time!

I'm sorry, but I see that the majority of comments here are from people wanting some sort of facilty to help keeps kids busy and entertained, and off drgs, etc...
How about parenting your children and not wondering why some other entity can't install something that would basically be your babysitter? We grew up with absolutely nothing put in place to pacify our needs. Our parents and our neighbors took care of us, we took care of ourselves, we had fun because our faces weren't staring at social media junk.

Ask anybody in commercial real estate, Lake Zurich is on a hot list to stay away- From goofy sprinkler ordinances, to plumbing inspectors that are cowboys, to the police. The village engineer is gone so thats a hell of a start-- Some of the old timers on the board own an explanation how they tortured the owner where he knew K-Mart was closing- He set himself up to sit it out- No more condemnations allowed so now we have to sit and wait. And from what I understand, the owner is out of state and LOADED!

It's not always about parenting times are hard a lot of parents have to work more than they needed to in the past and if it were that easy to say " hey go pay attention to your kids" then the issues at hand wouldn't exist! Hence the idea that maybe the community or " neighbors" should come together and make a safe place where kids can go! The fact is that the issues are there and instead of getting crabby about why find a productive way to help! Weather or not that location can be used for any of theses ideas right now it doesn't hurt to brain storm for when the property will be available it takes forever for things to happen anyway and it might help spur better things in other places! Do i think a lot of parents today don't do an amazing job, yes but can i force them to change? no, so instead if i see a problem i try to think of a semi realistic way to better the situation!

Hey MB! Not a good politician! I dont want to speak for LF but we ALL had enough of bad decisions, lies and insults! Yes we are hostile and I would encourage all residents NOT to come out to vote, and that goes against EVERYTHING I stand for. But I really thought you were the one! You had my vote. Dont know what your relationship is with Mayor in Kildeer but you dont understand that sometimes you have no choice but to get your message out "behind the veil of anonymity" . They looted the water fund and have no intentions of a top down reorganization. In the mean time, I will figure out a way to get somebody (Four trustee's) to save this village from politicians who will not listen to the people- very disappointed.....

I'm disapointed as well, I'm disappointed that unless I hide behide an alious that I can't just brain storm with others without someone taking what I say out of context. I was not in politics before, but I am now and I would like to apoligize if I offended anyone. I didnt join in on this feed to campaign I was just speaking out on what my thoughts were. I deleted the comment I made before, my mistake for having an opinion. It was funny to me that he mistakenly thought I was someone else. What would have been the right thing to say? Humor is lost in news feeds... unless you read them with a smile.
Have a great day.

Anything that is NOT tax-payer supported and would bring in revenue would be great. Obviously the more people it appeals to the better it will do. So perhaps a multi-use complex that has different activities available.

It should be condemned and torn down just Like Palatine did with Idol's at Rand & Dundee roads. There should be an ordinance that once a property has sat vacant for a specific period of time, the village can force it to be demolished.

Why is give the kids a safe place to hang out concise red babysitting? I don't understand why a teenage hang out means I am all of a sudden a parent who doesn't watch my kids..... I am extremely involved with my child who wouldn't even be old enough to go...... Like I said I can't force parents to do stuff but having a safe place to keep the kids busy wouldn't be a bad idea! It's not babysitting it's a hang out cuz these kids gave no where to go and obviously the parents aren't paying to close attention. When I was 14 I didn't want to sit at home with my parents so I'm sure these kids don't either why can't thing be a positive thing? And people on here need to learn to discuss and comment in a constructive way and not in a rude manner.

Amen sister, but I think he thought you were me, and that jab was directed to me. I also think there are people out there using these fake names that are really other candidates? I obviously can't be sure but it is a shame. I didnt come on here to campaign, I simply thought that a sports complex would be fun with an adjoining resturaunt for the parents to hang out. then I get slammed it's so obvious. Or in this case you get slammed. sorry :)

Thank you! good luck i hope you win! :)

Sorry to leave you hanging while I was at work, and sorry to disappoint, but I am not a candidate. I am someone who has lived in LZ for a long time, knows a few things about how municipalities work, and right now ours is NOT working. The point being, wish lists are fine but if developers don't know we even have commercial space available, ideas are pointless. Developers and people with cash to invest don't care about ideas. They care about what they are going to need to do to get the project approved and what their ROI is. It is imperative for anyone running for office has an understanding s the use of public funds, what properties are actually viable for development (this one is currently not), how commercial real estate works and how zoning laws govern what you can and cannot do with these properties. In addition, a Village President doesn’t have the legislative power to enact laws to govern condemnation of property. That would be a foolhardy piece of litigation and more wasted funds by the Village. This will surely be an interesting election. What the residents cannot afford is a Village President who enters office on a steep learning curve.

I think Baby's R Us or Buy Buy Baby are good options, since the infrastructure is there and the closest ones are in Vernon Hills, Schaumburg, Crystal Lake and Gurnee. There is nothing around this area.

Those of you clamoring for a community pool run by the village's parks & rec department -- be aware that these operations absolutely hemorrhage money in every community where they exist (I mean more so than regular government operations). They are hugely expensive to build and maintain, and state and federal agencies are constantly tinkering with regulations on the pumps, drain covers, depth, and on and on -- which means more mandatory expenditures down the road.

I love all the ideas about recreational facilities, not that an old man like me would personally have much use for them. Unfortunately, they all take money that nobody seems to have these days. Many of us have the "bad habit of spending other people's money."
We have other vacancies in town, plus the entire Village Center (Downtown). The area is perfect for business, yet who is contacting the potential businesses to bring them in? The trustees have pushed for efforts in that direction but Admin & Staff have found every excuse to do nothing over the years.
This is what elections are about. This should not be about K-Mart, but about the entire Village.

Jim...you are spot on! Let's get this village headed in the right direction, beginning with changing what hasn't worked, Branding has got to go. Now (and 4 years ago) is the time for strong leadership that looks for solutions to get things done! Trustees can supplement for the mayor's shortcomings, but it's no substitute for an empty chair and empty ideas.

Getting rid of this building should be a top priority. How would you feel staying in the Holiday Inn Express and all you see is this vacant dump that is the old Kmart. The second priority should be getting rid of that abandoned house on Ela and Rand across from the Mobile- as well as knocking down the old NAPA building on the bypass (22) and Old Rand kiddy corner to True Value. Third, would be to change the restaurant/liquor laws in Lake Zurich (so a bar can actually operate). Then watch Lake Zurich boom!

Sam - Unfortunately the village cannot knock down the Kmart. There is no ordinance on the books in LZ to cover such seemingly "abandoned" properites. Recently the building was inspected and is still in sound shape (believe it or not!). Sadly, the owner has no intention of doing anything with the building while he continues to collect rent from KMart/Sears. As far as the house on Ela/Rand, although I agree it is not exactly stylish, it is inhabitable. Lastly, I believe the old Napa building has some abatement issues related to it's being rented/torn down. Frustrating isn't it. You don't say whats it is you would change with the restaurant liquor laws. Do tell.

I understand that we cannot just "knock" it down, but one can hope. I'm actually surprised it is still standing under its own power to be honest. Is there an amendment to the code in Lake Zurich that could be passed to avoid such a contract? When does keeping the building (like Napa or the house on the corner) start to cost more then knocking it down?

As for restaurant liquor laws, in Lake Zurich, Alcohol must be "incidental" or "complementary" to food. If the law could be changed to allow for a higher rate of liquor sales to food sales or at the very least favor a few bars (that can contribute something during the day), I believe the downtown would go through the beginning stages of real redevelopment. I'm not asking for a Palatine type bar-scene, but I also believe a vibrant downtown needs a night-life to encourage potential business and foot traffic. Let be honest, I hear DePieros rents the two buildings that are occupied by Reds and Flavor it Place for $100/unit. Just sad.

I know we all have a love for Lake Zurich and I understand that we have competition in Deer Park & Kildeer, as well as the shopping centers on 12/22 that take up a lot of the store fronts (nor is it my forte to begin to plan a downtown development), but I believe SOMETHING could be done sooner then later.