Lake Forest City Council on December 1 unanimously passed a resolution authorizing a purchase agreement with Focus Development for the Laurel Avenue property that was once home to the city’s Municipal Services building just north of the downtown shopping district.
Here’s an explanation of the project from the City of Lake Forest’s admin office, along with several drawings of the Focus Development plan:
In 2007, the City of Lake Forest held a community discussion about the future of a 10-acre parcel located at the north end of the City’s Central Business District. This property, at the northwest corner of Laurel and Western Avenues, was long the location of the only industrial use in the community. On a daily basis, garbage trucks staged on this site, materials including bricks and road salt were stored on the site, and heavy operations such as equipment repairs and readying snow plows for the inevitable winter storms occurred here. The vision was that someday, this location would offer a mix of new residences to people who wanted to be near the heart of Lake Forest, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, historic Market Square, the train station, the library, parks, open lands and the high school. That vision is beginning to take shape.
After waiting for the real estate market to stabilize, the City Council, in 2012, re-started discussions about this property. Eleven development teams responded to an initial Request for Qualifications issued in 2013, and ultimately, five teams were invited to submit detailed proposals for redevelopment of the 10-acre site. In September, 2014, the City Council identified Focus Development, Inc., as the selected developer and authorized negotiations toward a contract for sale of the property. Finalization and execution of the contract, which was negotiated by the Property and Public Lands Committee of the City Council, was directed by the City Council on December 1, 2014 paving the way for the public review process of the proposed development.
A New Opportunity
The redevelopment of the Laurel and Western Avenues site offers a unique opportunity for new residential construction in east Lake Forest. The artfully designed site plan preserves over 60% of the site as open space offering a park-like setting along the streetscapes and a large “green” in the center of the development. The stately oak tree on Laurel Avenue is preserved with the proposed plan. Underground parking, an important feature of the proposed development, makes the large expanse of open space on the site possible. Neighbors and the entire community will be able to use and enjoy all of the open areas and walking paths in the development.
The plan proposes about 175 residential units, at a density that is consistent with other developments in this part of the community. A mix of housing types and sizes is proposed; single family homes, condominiums and luxury apartments. Moderately priced one and two bedroom apartments will also be available.The development will offer new homes to those in the community who want to downsize, young professionals who want to move back to the community, snow birds and local families who are looking for a new housing opportunity in a terrific location. The proposed development will fill a gap in the community, offering some housing types that are not readily available elsewhere. Consistent with the tradition of the community; quality architecture, strong design, natural materials and exquisite landscaping are all part of the plan. A strong design team, including Focus Development, Booth Hansen, Mariani Landscape and The Lakota Group, all with local ties and a history of working in Lake Forest, makes this team the right choice for this exciting project.
Importantly, this development will anchor the north end of the Central Business District with new homes, within an easy walk to small businesses to the north as well as to the Central Business District to the south. This development brings more housing back to the core of the City, adding to the vitality of the area and bringing an expanded customer base to support local businesses.
The new development is designed to fit in with the surrounding residential and commercial development, creating integrated neighborhoods and re-shaping what, until now, has been an industrial site into a new Lake Forest landmark.
Moving Forward
On December 10, 2014, the Plan Commission will hear a preliminary introduction of the proposed development and will meet the project team. Following that, technical work will get underway including traffic studies, drainage evaluation and review of planned streetscape improvements. Detailed site and landscape plans will be developed along with the building architecture.Presentation of detailed plans and public hearings before the City’s Plan Commission and Building Review Board will be scheduled in early 2015. The City’s responsibilities will include clean-up of the site including the demolition of the existing buildings and consideration of a Tax Increment Financing District to support the costs of site clean-up, streetscape improvements and infrastructure upgrades.
Stay Informed, Get Involved
The City invites all residents to attend upcoming public hearings which will offer the community the opportunity to hear more about the proposed redevelopment at Laurel and Western Avenues, ask questions and offer suggestions. To receive public hearing notices on this redevelopment project or for more information, please contact Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development at 847-810-3504, [email protected] or visit the Community Development Department at 800 Field Drive, Lake Forest. City offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For further information on the project itself, please contact Christine Kolb, Development Manager, Focus Development, at 224-255-6115 or [email protected]
