Buffalo Grove Looks to 'Optimize Growth Potential' for Lake Cook Corridor

Village officials in Buffalo Grove announced this past week that work is underway for a Market Study and Plan for the Lake Cook Corridor. The project’s goal is to explore how the village can best reposition the corridor to optimize its growth potential.

The study will examine various Corridor development scenarios aimed at improving the village’s identity, vitality, and economic and fiscal sustainability. The end result will be a visioning plan for the Corridor that is comprehensive, grounded in market realities, and achievable. The project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017, will implement a key action step from the approved Buffalo Grove 2016 Economic Development Strategic Plan, according to a news release.

The Lake Cook Corridor is a key asset to the community. It encompasses more than 472 acres of land and includes over one million square feet of commercial space, residential dwellings, the Village campus, and municipal golf course. The Corridor also serves as a gateway to the Village as it connects Buffalo Grove to the regional network of expressways, highways, and other major roads. With over 40,000 vehicles traveling on it per day, Lake Cook Road is one of the most utilized and visible roads in the region.

The Village awarded the Lake Cook Corridor Market Study and Plan to a professional consulting team in September 2016. The team is lead by international design firm, Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum (HOK), and includes the services of Jones Lang LaSalle (market analysis), KLOA (transportation), SpaceCo (civil engineering and environmental), and Images (community outreach).

Project Leader, Domenic Salpietra of HOK stated, “We are excited to be selected to undertake this important effort. We look forward to developing an innovative plan that will be implemented by the Village.”

Village officials said the public will play a key role throughout the study and have many opportunities to participate throughout the process.

“We encourage residents, business owners, property owners and all other stakeholders to be a part of this planning process,” said Village President Beverly Sussman.

The consulting team is in the process of gathering information. The first public meeting will be held in early 2017 to provide an overview of the project and hear the public’s comments on the issues, challenges, and opportunities surrounding the Corridor. Details regarding this event will be published when they become available.

For more information about the project and to sign up for the project’s mailing list, please visit www.vbg.org and click on “Lake Cook Corridor Market Study and Plan” link. This will direct you to the project’s webpage which will be routinely updated to announce public engagement activities, project updates, and other related news.