West Dundee hosts community meetings about former Spring Hill Mall redevelopment

West Dundee has scheduled two community meetings to talk about the future of the former Spring Hill Mall.

The first of two meetings will be held on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second floor of Emmett’s Brewing Company, 128 W. Main Street. A second meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the same location.

The meetings are designed to give residents a look at the property’s history over the last decade and the steps the village has taken in recent years. The village’s consultant, Houseal Lavigne and Associates, will also share a computer-generated model of what could go on the property. Smaller breakout sessions will be available after the consultants’ presentation to allow residents to ask questions.

While the village plans to locate a new police station on a small portion of the property, Village President Chris Nelson said there have been no other development proposals for the site yet.

“The presentation talks about some of the potential uses,” Nelson said. “But what will be (on the mall property) will be determined by the market itself and the decisions this board and future boards will make.”

A 2024 study commissioned by the village suggested that the 70 acres within the ring road of the former mall and 32 acres adjacent to it could support up to 1,500 housing units and 325,000 square feet of commercial use.

The mall opened in 1980 and closed in 2024. West Dundee spent more than $13 million to buy the former mall and demolish it.

As the mall languished, village officials decided to purchase it to help spur redevelopment and have more control over what goes on the property.

More information about the upcoming community meetings will be available on the village’s website at wdundee.org. Within a month or two, the village hopes to have a website dedicated to the mall’s redevelopment.