Lindenhurst residents learn details about Village Green

More than 200 people packed St. Mark's Education Center Tuesday during the first public update on the Lindenhurst Village Green since the massive development was approved eight months ago.

Residents' questions and concerns ranged from increased traffic and light pollution to the definition of "upscale" retail, which is what developers are promising.

"We're planning shopping and restaurants that will be different than what is offered in Gurnee," said Development Director Charlie Hickcox. "It will be more like a Deer Park atmosphere."

Lindenhurst Village Green will be built on more than 200 acres along Route 45, just north of Grand Avenue by San Diego-based developer Oliver McMillan.

The project will accommodate up to 600,000 square feet of retail, including three anchor stores, creating a downtown feel for the small bedroom village.

Plans also call for an unspecified number of residential units.

Hickcox said Oliver McMillan already has 150,000 square feet of retail covered by letters of intent and has nine leases on the table. Hickcox said no anchor stores have committed at this time, but he expects to have them secured early next year.

While residents tackled perceived problems with the project, a local developer was busy making his own plans for Village Green.

Luigi DeAngelis, owner of One Park Place Ventures in Lindenhurst, said Tuesday he wants to open a Marriott hotel on the property.

DeAngelis said he has already purchased two private properties -- much of it wetlands -- connected to the Village Green and totaling 20 acres.

DeAngelis said he has been working with landowners Tim O'Leary and Rick Swanson and village officials since March.

"I've got a team of seasoned developers to back me up on this," DeAngelis said. "I'm hoping the hotel will originate in the Village Green and create a seamless connection between downtown Lindenhurst and rural Lake County."

Mansie O'Leary, spokeswoman for the O'Leary/Swanson land partnership, however, said developers are not currently in any type of negotiations with DeAngelis.

"He has not presented any letter of intent or any document that would constitute any kind of partnership," O'Leary said. "We are not working with Mr. DeAngelis."

DeAngelis, who served on the village's plan commission from February until October, said when the village denied Village Green developers' request to create a special taxing district to finance the project, some of the property Oliver McMillan had been eyeing became available.

"We bought what other developers might not have wanted because of the wetlands," he said. "But I plan on using the input of the forest preserve and Army Corps to enhance the area and preserve it. The holdup right now is finalizing the land assembly."

DeAngelis said he is friends with the Marriott family and has a commitment from the hotel chain.

The hotel would feature 160 rooms including 32 suites, a 9,000-square-foot banquet hall, and tennis and spa facilities, DeAngelis said.

Marriott officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

DeAngelis said he is confident a deal will be struck between his company and the Village Green developers.