Downtown La Grange Buildings Appear Abandoned: Official

LA GRANGE, IL – A La Grange official on Monday suggested the village do something about downtown buildings that appear abandoned.

At a Village Board meeting, Trustee Beth Augustine said some of the structures are under renovation, yet owners have posted no signs indicating such work is taking place.

She said the Starbucks in downtown is an exception. It has posted a sign clarifying that it is renovating, she said.

"I know we don't allow 'coming soon' signs, yet we kind of do," Augustine said. "It kind of looks like a lot of businesses are out of business in La Grange. But really there are a lot of businesses that are in transition."

She said "coming soon" signs may help neighboring businesses and the town as a whole look more vibrant.

In response, Charity Jones, the village's community development director, said the village encourages businesses in renovation to let the public know.

She also said the village grants extensions for temporary signs beyond the 30-day limit, allowing them to keep up signs for the duration of renovations. That is "so customers don't get the wrong notions and think that they are closed," she said.

On another note, Village President Mark Kuchler said the village's Design Review Commission plays a crucial role in making sure buildings are up to code.

"Frequently, I'll have business owners complaining that our Design Review Commission is too stringent and wants too much," Kuchler said. "I try to explain that this is our one opportunity that we have to make sure that buildings are upgraded to our current standards. They do make sure that properties that haven't been maintained for some time when they get purchased or redeveloped get brought up to whatever the current standards are."