Lindenhurst to study water, sewer for Village Green

Lindenhurst has hired a company that will study extending water and sewer system to the Village Green property at routes 45 and 132 in hope to attract developers to the property.

“We decided that rather than wait for a developer to come in and pay for water to get to that site, we decided to be proactive and say we're going to put that infrastructure in so we are a much more attractive area for them,” Mayor Susan Lahr said at Monday's village board meeting.

The village first authorized $15,000 to fund this study after determining the location of the last connection points within the village to this parcel. However, Lahr explained at a recent board meeting that as technology moves toward the vacuum sewer system, the village was notified the cost would increase to $21,000.

Lahr explained because the vacuum system is not used yet in Illinois, more work will be done to review the parcel and make sure all regulations would be met. The company also will evaluate pressure and gravity sewer systems.

“We think it will be good to be proactive, thinking where technology is going,” Lahr said.

The Village Green property, which included 200 acres north of Grand Avenue on Route 45, previously was considered to be developed as a lifestyle retail center that included retail and residential units. In 2007, due to the economic and real estate climate, OliverMillan, owner of the property, put the parcel up for sale.

As the village looks forward to its future development, Trustee Bill Anderson said it is worthwhile to complete the study. He also agreed the additional cost to study all systems would be worth it.

Trustee Timothy Wayne added, “It is a critical parcel, critical to the future economic development of the community, and I think this is important to do.”

Following the board approval, Strand Associates will complete the study within eight weeks.