Downtown Lake Zurich looks downright embarrassing right now. The dilapidated, run down buildings and lack of any holiday decorations near and around the lake, really makes me wonder what the leadership, or lack of, in Lake Zurich is thinking. Its really quite a shame, because downtown Lake Zurich used to be one of my favorite things about living here.
Wish for 2013 would be to get someone in the local government who has the capability to lead some sort of redevelopment project. It's been too long.

The K-Mart Building. The northeast corner of 22 & 12. The Downtown area. I would talk to John Safire of the Fidelity Group. He of all people has built Lake Zurich. I would listen to his ideas as to what is better for the town.

I agree with the two earlier comments. We need to get the property in the TIF District back on the tax rolls. There has been absolutely no progress in developing anything in that area. We can't blame the economy for everything here, because communities all around us have vibrant downtowns, while ours languishes.

Downtown for sure. One of the reasons we moved here was because of the Quaint downtown, now it is starting to look like a ghetto! I am so very embarrassed and want my tax dollars to count towards something!
The decision to NOT put any decorations (that are currently stored) up downtown was a slap in the face to us all. The Mayor telling us that they can't afford to do so was a bad decision. You didn't need to put them all out, but something would have been better than nothing! Under this mayor and the past mayor, our town has gone downhill rapidly. I agree with Mark, my wish for 2013 is to get those in "charge" to make the right decisions and PLEASE, gov't officials, do not have another "poll" about what the LZ residents would like to see.....it has been clear since the redevelopment project started.....we want our downtown back!!!!!!!!! Start moving forward, rapidly instead of backwards...rapidly.

The K-Mart guy is getting even for all the years the village drove him crazy- The village has a very bad reputation in the development community. Look at the new McDonalds, the same people that decided no christmas lights is telling the largest and most successful business in the world what to do. I am really surprised that no one came forward to run for trustee (thats fresh and new).

Downtown LZ is SUCH an embarrassment to everyone here paying top notch taxes. Lake Zurich has been making bad decisions for as long as I can remember (I've lived here since 86). For a town that seen so much growth, where are all the additional tax dollars going? We have NOTHING going for us that just about every other surrounding area already has. Horrible recreation center (remember that pool we were going to get??? LOLOLOL), ugly downtown and disgusting well water that we have never been able to drink but pay top dollar to shower in. So disappointing.

Downtown for sure. I agree about the KMart building but I think it's more important to get the TIF district contributing again. The thing that amazes me about Wauconda is that they didn't build anything new. They just repurposed and revitalized what they had. LZ still has the buildings and many are owned by the Village why not provide some incentive to put something in those buildings? They worked with Mr. Panagakis on the Main Street Art shop which really isn't a big draw downtown but it could be if other buildings had year round operations in them. Where's the leadership and creativity - not with Suzanne that's for sure.

I work in Lake Zurich but live in Wauconda. After work, I have no reason to stay in LZ. There is nothing to do. When a bunch of us from work want to get a drink or just habg out in a social atmosphere, where is there to go? Downtown has nothing to speak of and we are not hanging out at Friday's with the 20-24 age group. That's why we head to Wauconda. Dock's, Lindy's, Slyce, JD's, Bulldogs, the list goes on for options. And that's just one town. Palatine, Barrington, even Crystal Lake. There is such an opportunity for LZ. Just get it together.

It will be interesting to look at this post in; a week, a month, six months, and a year from now. Although I’m a new resident and still learning the village ropes, my money says at each one of these landmarks it will still just be a post. No response, no plan, no explanations, and most of all no change. The question itself is actually quite concerning. Each day I check Google and the link for Lake Zurich. Most articles are typical media blubber with little to no response from the community. In the past year the most comments from my recollection are tied to LZHS banning "grinding" and village development plans, (plans which have been submitted previously with no avail). With that being said by asking, "What Would You Improve in Lake Zurich in 2013?" Well.....I would say stick with one of those two topics, sarcasm with “grinding” that would be a good start. The internet is a powerful tool, use it just as the people of your community do. Then again no one will read this post sooooo any who cheers, and Happy New Years!

Downtown for certain! I cannot believe how much potential that area has and yet no plans yet. Even adding a few restaurants, some coffee shops would bring people back to that area. Another suggestion I always think of when going out with my friends and family is something like PinStripes in the area. Classy but yet a ton of fun for the family. We don't have anything like that in the area. Kmart - totally agree. Its a dump and a sore eye in the area but if I had to prioritize downtown for sure!

I agree with downtown revitalization. Maybe Lake Zurich could annex Wauconda's downtown...

The only check I write is for the water bill which cannot be viewed or paid online
A high school senior could set this up

Here's to seeing new faces on the Board of Education!

Please retain Mayor Branding! She loves this town and is on a mission to revitalize L.Z.
As our nation improves and positive things are happening, so will Lake Zurich. Patience is a virtue, things don't change over night. It seems such a waste of time to start firing people when we don't instantly have the changes we want. It only slows down the process. Re-elect Suzanne Branding she is outstanding!

OK................... The devil you know or the devil you know-

For me, yes, finding businesses to fill the empty buildings would be great, and revitalizing downtown would be wonderful, but adding bike paths so we could enjoy our town safely while getting fit and being green - now that would be awesome.

I grew up in Lake Zurich an know that the Lake Zurich of days gone bye will never return. Since graduating I have been lucky enough to lived and see different parts of the world. I would very much like to see Main Street from the old police station to where JJ Twigg's used to stand be converted to resturant row, incorporating the lake and history in the restaurants design. I would like to see the rest of downtown to get a facelift and bring back the the small local businesses.