Bartlett Offers 63-Acre Gateway Development Site

The far western Chicago suburb Bartlett is laying the groundwork for a sweeping mixed-use development that could redefine its northern edge.

Village officials kicked off planning for a 63-acre site along Lake Street, envisioning a dense mix of entertainment, residential and hospitality uses designed to function as both a gateway and a regional draw. The Daily Herald reported that Village President Dan Gunsteen framed the effort as a chance to “build a new identity” on land that has long sat underutilized, despite heavy traffic.

The village already assembled part of the site, as it acquired 20 acres for $3 million and established a 154-acre tax increment financing district to help bankroll infrastructure. The remaining 43 acres are controlled by the Illinois Department of Transportation, according to the outlet, making public land acquisition and roadway reconfiguration central to the plan. A key piece: realigning Oak Avenue to create a four-way signalized intersection at Bartlett Road.

Chicago-based planning firm Houseal Lavigne is leading the design process, which is expected to produce concept plans over the next four months. According to the firm, the scale alone opens the door to something more urban in character than Bartlett’s typical suburban development pattern.

At a recent meeting, officials emphasized the need for revenue diversity, long-term economic stability and a mix of building heights to maximize both visual appeal and tax base, according to the publication. The site’s exposure to roughly 40,000 daily drivers adds urgency to getting the formula right.

Trustees flagged some concerns, including the proximity of a middle school, the potential impact on the village’s downtown and the risk of overloading the project with generic chain retailers. Maintaining a curated tenant mix and ensuring businesses can endure market cycles were recurring themes, according to the outlet.

Officials see the development as a way to keep residents and their spending habits from drifting to neighboring suburbs, while also creating new housing options tied to commercial activity, the outlet reported.

Houseal Lavigne is set to gather input from focus groups before presenting three initial concepts to the board. Those proposals will ultimately be merged into a single plan, shaped by public feedback.

— Eric Weilbacher