Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Lake Zurich village board gives John Breugelmans exclusivity period to show proof of financing, do preliminary studies.
In an effort to get downtown development on a faster track, the Lake Zurich village board gave developer John Breugelmans of ARDE a 75-day exclusivity period, Monday, during which the village will not pursue other developers for Block A, across from the Promenade. Four votes were needed to allow Breugelmans to proceed and it came down to Village President Suzanne Branding, who agreed to Breugelmans’ proposal, if he would agree to allow Lee Brown of Teska, the village downtown consultant, to review Breugelmans' finances. Trustees Tom Poynton, Jeff Halen and Jonathon Sprawka voted in favor of going ahead with Breugelmans. Trustees Rich Sustich and Terry Mastandrea wanted to wait for the RFQ/RFP process. Breugelmans was one of the four…
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
M/I Homes secured a contract to finish the 19 remaining lots at the stagnant Somerset townhome development.
Greg Collins, of M/I Homes, presented plans for finishing the long stagnant Somerset townhome development, at Lakeview and Main streets in downtown Lake Zurich, at Monday’s village board meeting. The previous developer, McCaffery Interests Inc., pulled out of the project in 2009, when the economy took a downtown and the developer ran out of money to complete the project. Collins told the board that the project would be finished to be consistent with the current design and architecture. The developer will make some minor changes. There are 19 remaining lots which consist of 12 vacant lots and a 7-unit building foundation. Collins said the units would be 1,600 to 2,200 square feet and would sell for $250,000 or more. Collins told the …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
In a split decision, the Lake Zurich village board agreed to entertain a presentation by John Breugelmans of ARDE at the next village board meeting.
Developer John Breugelmans told the Lake Zurich village board, Monday night, during public comment, that, while he has been rejected numerous times, he is still interested in developing in downtown Lake Zurich. In a split decision, the board decided to allow Breugelmans’ presentation at the next meeting. Breugelmans told the board that the formal process they are currently undertaking is slow and could take until 2015 until there is any activity on Block A, across from the Promenade. “My proposal is to revive the 2012 project. I ask the board to approve that I can be put on the agenda for the next board meeting to give the detailed proposal. Sixty days after, I a can start a project and provide proof of finance,” he said. Trustees …
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Consultant recommends two-step process to find qualified developer for Block A.
Lake Zurich Village board members and staff gathered, Tuesday night, to discuss which direction to take to get downtown development back on track. See: Lake Zurich Downtown Development Consultant Lee Brown of Teska Associates recommended that the village start over with Block A, the village-owned Main Street site across form the Promenade, but this time take a more formal process to attracting qualified developers. “Our recommendation is that it is time to look at a way of building momentum, building success,” Brown said. Brown proposed a formal two-step process that begins with an RFQ, request for qualifications. Village staff and consultants would ask developers to provide their credentials and references. Brown said the previous …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
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The Lake Zurich Village Board will hold a special Committee of the Whole meeting, at 7 p.m., tonight to discuss downtown development. This meeting will be held at the Police Facility, 200 Mohawk Trail. Lee Brown, of Teska Associates, the village's consultant is proposing a two-step process in which the village goes for an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) and then an RFP (Request for Proposals) process. According to a memorandum from Brown, the RFQ is designed to attract developer interest in downtown Lake Zurich. The RFP would be issued to a narrower list of the most qualified developers who would be invited to submit a full, detailed proposal. And here's some other information you may need today: Is there information you'd like to …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Village board sends John Breugelmans proposal for a hotel to plan commission.
Lake Zurich’s downtown TIF district could get a big boost with a proposed 130-room hotel, southwest of Rte. 22 and Old Rand Road. The hotel is being proposed by John Breugelmans of Lakeland Asset Management; Breugelmans was one of the developers who had proposed a development on Block A, across from the Promenade, in downtown Lake Zurich this summer. The village board decided not to go with any of the developers. Breugelmans started his presentation saying he was trying again. He said the owner of the property, Greg Schwermer, approached him because he was impressed with Breugelman’s proposal for Block A. A sliver of the land of proposed hotel site is owned by the village. Breugelmans brought the plan to the village board Monday night, and…
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Lake Zurich village board to meet in workshop to discuss downtown development.
Village Administrator Jason Slowinski told village board members, at Monday's board meeting, that the TIF Evaulation Committee has met to review the downtown development process and is recommending that the village board get together for a workshop to discuss downtown development. Slowinski said the committee felt the board members needed extra time, outside of the village board meeting, to discuss downtown development. He said Lee Brown of Teska Associates would also be at the workshop. Brown is the consultant for downtown development. Downtown redevelopment of village-owned property has been at a standstill since mid-August when the board voted against going with any of four developers proposing projects for the development of a parcel…
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Downtown development discussed at Lake Zurich village board meeting.
Although downtown redevelopment was not on the agenda at Tuesday’s Lake Zurich village board meeting, it was heavily discussed by both residents, during public comment, and by trustees. Village board members listened intently while residents expressed frustration over the board’s decision on Aug. 20 not to choose from the four developers competing to develop Block A, on Main Street, and to move in a direction of selling downtown property. Some residents also expressed a desire to help the village move forward with downtown development. Paul Hunt described himself as the voice of younger demographics in town. He said he’s very happy living in Lake Zurich and he believes there are lots of opportunities for his children. However, he …
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Lake Zurich Alderman Trustee Jonathan Sprawka shares his thought on Lake Zurich's downtown development efforts.
Since early 2011, the village board and staff have continued efforts to finally bring downtown revitalization to a successful start after the ESG agreement was terminated due to lack of demonstrated financing. Most recently, four developers have brought forward initial, high level concept plans for Block A, known to many as the old Twigs site across from the Promenade. On Monday, August 20th, The Village Board failed to reach consensus on granting a single developer exclusivity for a short-period (60-120 days) to complete their due diligence. Towards the end of board discussion, Richard Sova – representing Landover Corp, approached the board and indicated the process was counter to what is typically experienced in the development …
Monday, August 27, 2012
Terry Mastandrea explains why he voted against selling surplus downtown property.
When Trustee Terry Mastandrea, former Lake Zurich fire chief, was appointed to the Lake Zurich village board as an interim trustee, last September, the main reason he took on the responsibility was to help get downtown redeveloped, he said. At the Aug. 20 village board meeting, Trustee Terry Mastandrea was the only trustee to vote against the controversial decision to sell Lake Zurich downtown property, rather than choose from one of the four developers vying for the Block A parcel on Main Street. “I was furious. I couldn’t believe we were going down that path,” Mastandrea told Lake Zurich Patch. “This is the biggest decision the village faces and if we don’t get something going in the TIF district, we’re going to face higher taxes.” …
Jim Tarbet
8:48 pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Bill, I believe that good government is good politics. The rest is hot air. I'll leave it at "I'll be voting Independent" on election day. more ›