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Planning for Progress: Lake Street TIF Master Plan Officially Underway

The Village of Bartlett is taking an important step toward shaping the future of one of its most vital commercial corridors. During a recent special workshop, the Village Board of Trustees met with representatives from Houseal Lavigne, an award-winning urban planning and design firm, to officially launch the Lake Street TIF Master Plan.

This kickoff marks the beginning of a comprehensive, multi-phase effort to guide reinvestment and long-term economic growth along the Lake Street corridor—leveraging the existing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to support strategic improvements and attract new development.

Strategic Vision for the Corridor

The Lake Street TIF Master Plan is designed to create a clear, actionable blueprint for sustainable redevelopment. Through a detailed evaluation of existing conditions and market trends, the Village and Houseal Lavigne will identify opportunities for:

  • Commercial Attraction: Reimagining vacant and underutilized properties to bring in new retail, dining, and service-oriented businesses

  • Corridor Beautification: Establishing cohesive design standards for signage, landscaping, and public spaces to strengthen Bartlett’s identity

  • Enhanced Mobility: Improving traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and multimodal accessibility

A Structured, Four-Step Planning Process

To ensure a thoughtful and effective outcome, Houseal Lavigne has outlined a five-step planning process that emphasizes collaboration, analysis, and community input:

Step 1: Project Kickoff & Visioning

The process begins with coordination between Village staff, elected officials, and stakeholders to establish a strong foundation before design work starts. This phase includes meetings, study area tours, and focus groups, culminating in a Planning Influences Memo that documents key conditions such as land use, zoning, transportation, and development patterns.

Step 2: Sketch Plan Options

Three distinct redevelopment concepts will be created to explore different land use strategies and development intensities. These concepts will be refined through working sessions with staff and the Village Board, followed by a community open house to gather public feedback.

Step 3: Financial Feasibility Analysis

A detailed financial review will assess market conditions and development viability. This includes evaluating lease rates, estimating development costs, and conducting a “gap analysis” to determine what level of financial assistance may be needed to support redevelopment.

Step 4: Draft and Final Master Plan

Using feedback and analysis from earlier phases, the team will develop a draft plan and 3D visualizations of the corridor. After further review, a final Master Plan will be presented to the Village Board for adoption.

The Road Ahead

The Lake Street TIF Master Plan is just getting started, with data collection and analysis already underway. As the project progresses, public participation will play a central role. Residents, business owners, and stakeholders will have an opportunity to share input.

By combining technical expertise, financial analysis, and community insight, the Village of Bartlett is working to ensure that the Lake Street corridor evolves into a vibrant, accessible, and economically resilient destination.

The Village remains committed to transparency and proactive communication throughout the process—ensuring the final vision reflects the shared goals of the Bartlett community.