News

Lake Street TIF Concept Plan

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Lake Street TIF Corridor Master Plan Open House on July 22nd. An estimated 200 residents were in atten­dance to see a brief presentation and talk to staff, the consultants and the Trustees on the proposed uses and conceptual layout. Planning Consultants Houseal Lavigne will be incorporating the feedback received over the next few weeks to further refine the plan. This plan will be presented to the Village Board meeting this Fall, the Master Plan will be used a guide of the Village’s preferred uses for future talks with developers. Creating a welcoming environment where res­idents feel comfortable and confident that their voices are being heard is a top priority. Wednesday’s impres­sive turnout and engaging discussions gave everyone a chance to share their concerns and excitement over the possible developments on Lake Street, showing firsthand how much we care about the future of our village. This ongoing progress would not be possi­ble without the remarkable dedication of our staff. Since the inception of the TIF district project, they have worked tirelessly to synthesize direction from all seven elected officials while consistently adapting concepts based on the valuable feedback provided by our community. 

Next Steps

  • Continue discussions with IDOT on land ac­quisition 

  • Michael Baker Interna­tional will continue to refine the engineering for the Oak Avenue re-alignment project 

  • Adopt of the Master Plan 

  • Advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) to devel­opers 

  • Review the proposals submitted 

  • Hold an open house for public input on proposals 

  • Select a developer(s) and enter into a develop­ment agreement 

  • Complete the public hearing process for the se­lected development
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Planning for Progress: Lake Street TIF Master Plan Officially Underway

Wednesday, July 22
7pm - 9pm
Village Hall

In June, planning consultants Houseal Lavigne brought its Lake Street TIF recommendations to the Village Board. Now, the Village wants to hear from you.

Join us at Village Hall on Wednesday, July 22nd from 7:00–9:00 p.m. for an open house-style event. Bartlett residents and guests are invited to come learn more about the proposed TIF design and provide direct feedback to the Houseal Lavigne team.

This is your opportunity to ask questions and help shape how businesses and visitors will Belong in Bartlett.

  • This is an interactive, station-based event open to all Bartlett residents

  • The event will explain how the proposed plan has evolved from three preliminary scenarios (based on feedback, site constraints, and market data)

  • Illustrative boards with renderings and diagrams will highlight key components (land use, housing, open spaces, the market core, and circulation)

  • Members from Houseal Lavigne will guide attendees, answer questions, and gather feedback on priorities before the final recommendations are made

  • Light refreshments will be available

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.