W. Dundee embarks on vision for downtown development

West Dundee leaders have taken a major step toward setting a strategy for its downtown redevelopment, a move officials said has been in the making for years.

Officials recently sent out a request for proposals in search of a firm to analyze the quaint, historic downtown and create a redevelopment master plan that outlines a vision for maximizing its use.

“That has been one of the primary goals since I took office, and I know it’s a goal the rest of the board shares in trying to create a plan for downtown development,” Village President Christopher Nelson said. “Once we have a plan in place, it is easier to articulate our vision for the area when we are talking with potential developers and users of the area.”

The RFP process costs nothing, but Nelson estimates the creation of the plan will cost $25,000 — the village would cover a portion of that and officials hope to secure funding from other sources, he said.

The goal is to hire a firm by February, Village Manager Joseph Cavallaro said. The public would have an opportunity to offer input during the planning process at a pair of workshops held early next year, officials said.

The downtown has got “great bones” due to the riverwalk, good infrastructure and solid anchors, including Spa Bleu and eateries like the Village Squire and Francesca’s, said Cavallaro, also a longtime resident.

“I think the core elements of a successful downtown development are already in place,” he said.

But there’s definitely room for improvement and other opportunities, Cavallaro added.

For example, the Clearwater Theater, MT Barrels and the old Ace Hardware store have been vacant for years and nobody has come forward with solid plans to develop them just yet.