Bloomingdale to review ideas for open area

Bloomingdale village officials are looking to further develop a 35-acre area near Indian Lakes Resort.

Within the next several weeks, officials will begin discussions with different firms to see which group's plans are the best and who can best design the area.

Planning and Development Coordinator Janice Hermon said the plan should be completed within seven months.

"The development's to set forth and establish a plan for the passive open space that addresses all of our objectives," she said.

The open land was acquired in 2007 when Indian Lakes Resort's plan to redevelop a business district was approved by the village. As part of the business district plan, the village acquired the southernmost 35 acres and pledged to keep the portion as permanent, passive open space. The village also committed to addressing storm water flooding concerns for the adjacent neighborhoods.

Officials are looking to develop the area with parking, bicycle and pedestrian pathways, landscaping and storm water storage facilities.

Village officials said they hope to select one team to prepare detailed design plans for the area. However, a timeline, scope, cost and funding methods for the project are up in the air.

"I think it's important that we move forward with more planning so we have an important open space for the neighborhood that's there, as well as for Bloomingdale," Hermon said.

Previously, Indian Lakes Resort -- a 276-acre complex with a six-story, 310-room hotel; conference and banquet facilities; and recreation amenities located on the side of Schick Road between Cardinal Drive and Springfield Drive -- redeveloped its business district. Currently, two 18-hole championship golf courses comprise the southern 224 acres.

The resort will reconfigure the remaining 191-acre golf course area into a 27-hole course and practice facility.