Lake Zurich officials have earmarked $4 million for a plan that will completely revamp its old downtown Main Street corridor.
Infrastructure work for the replacement and repair of existing water mains, along with stormwater receptors and sanitary sewer lines, has been underway for the past two years.
The project will come in two phases, kicking off with the Phase I Main Street beautification. It was held back, waiting for the redevelopment efforts that brought new apartment dwellings on north Old Rand Road, going around the lake.
“The apartments at Main Street and Old Rand Road are basically new redevelopment that had to happen before the project, while we worked on aging infrastructure,” said Mike Brown, the village’s public works director. “We also need to resurface the road, improve pedestrian enhancements and the sidewalks where south Old Rand Road had come due.
“The Main Street beautification with landscaping and medians to slow down traffic, gives it a walkable feel,” he said. “The whole project was in the background for a few years. Our capital improvements plan was throughout the Main Street corridor, along Route 22, while waiting on the apartment redevelopments.”
Phase I goes out for bid next month, with construction expected to be finished by the end of the year. Design renderings include updating items in the village’s comprehensive master plan such as landscaping, Edison-style streetlights, crosswalks, paver stones, seating areas and intersection improvements.
Brown said the $4 million project funding came directly from several revenue streams: the village’s capital improvement plan, the water and sewer fund from the annual budget and money generated from the non-home rule sales tax implemented several years ago.
“The village of Lake Zurich has made substantial investments to improve its Main Street commercial district over the past decade,” said Kyle Kordell, the village’s management services director. “The focus has been on modern infrastructure, new housing and trendy restaurants to revitalize the downtown area.
“Next year, Lake Zurich, when it initiates this project, it will totally change the look and feel of Main Street for decades,” he said. “Some of the Edison-style lights have already been installed on Main Street, although they will eventually line the entire corridor.”
The village’s logo will also be emblazoned on the intersection of Main Street and Old Rand Road. The base concept is to create a “walkability aspect,” and an attractive appeal for both visitors and those living in the vicinity.
“Phase II will be the south portion of the Old Rand Road corridor that should be completed by the end of 2026,” Brown said. “There are still some punch-list items that will pop up, when all the things come together. We are looking at a great project to have a great branded look for our Main Street corridor.”
