Village of Lake Villa Seeks Input on Downtown Vision

Lake Villa, IL  – The Village of Lake Villa has initiated a Downtown Vision Plan project that is set to be completed by early 2025. 

The Village of Lake Villa is excited to announce a new partnership with Better City, a national economic development advisory firm, to lead a Downtown Vision Plan project and explore potential redevelopment opportunities for the downtown. Better City will partner with Teska Associates, a Chicagoland-based urban design firm that has done extensive work in the Village. 

The Vision Plan will provide strategic direction for the Downtown area as well as site-specific strategies to accomplish the goals identified in the Lake Villa Downtown TOD Plan. The project will focus on redeveloping the Village’s historic Downtown – Cedar Avenue from Grand Avenue to North Milwaukee Avenue – into a dynamic retail and entertainment hub with new developments that include new retail and restaurants and improvements to the street’s ambiance and sense of place. 

Key Goals of the Downtown Vision Plan: 

  • Community Engagement: Include ideas and perspectives from residents, business owners, and the development community. 

  • Guide Development and Business Attraction: Analyze potential development sites and business opportunities to align with market trends while supporting the Village’s long-term goals. 

  • Inspire Quality Design: Develop compelling visuals and concepts that inspire new investment and shape Downtown’s architectural design standards. 

“We are thrilled to collaborate with The Village of Lake Villa on this important project,” said Jason Godfrey, CEO of Better City. “Our goal is to create a vision that not only enhances the downtown experience for residents and visitors but also attracts investment and innovative development opportunities. The focus on quality design and community involvement is key to ensuring that this project aligns with the long-term needs of the Village.” 

Mayor James McDonald emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “This is an exciting moment for Lake Villa. By engaging our community in this visioning process, we can craft a downtown that reflects our shared values and goals. The Downtown Vision Plan will be a blueprint for a thriving and welcoming downtown, and we look forward to working together to create a vision that inspires pride and growth.” 

The planning process is expected to launch in early October and be completed in early 2025. A survey to gather community input is available online through October 20, 2024.  

For more information about the Downtown Vision Plan, please visit www.lake-villa.org.