W. Dundee hires firm to create downtown plan

West Dundee has hired a firm to create a detailed redevelopment plan for its downtown.

This village this week hired Hitchcock Design Group, which helped officials design its riverwalk almost 10 years ago.

The company's other projects include Elgin's riverfront and Festival Park, North Central College's master plan and related campus projects in Naperville, and the Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake.

"It has not been done before. This is the first comprehensive downtown plan commissioned by the village of West Dundee," Village President Chris Nelson said Friday. "It's a complete parcel by parcel analysis of the downtown area."

The plan would detail a strategy for downtown redevelopment and should be completed in eight to 10 months, Nelson said.

West Dundee's downtown already has several core businesses, including the Village Squire restaurant, Spa Bleu, Francesca's Campagna restaurant, and Emmett's Brewing Co.

There are also plans to redevelop the southeast corner of First and Main streets that could bring two restaurants, an event venue and more to the area.

The plan, Nelson said, will show officials how they can use other properties, how to make the downtown more cohesive and vibrant and how to attract new users while helping existing users.

The planning process will also offer several phases of public input that include workshops for residents and meetings for downtown merchants.

The plan will cost roughly $75,000, Nelson said.

While the village has been saving for the plan for years, officials will also see if there are grant opportunities available to offset the cost, Nelson said.

"It's a necessary investment," Nelson said. "We have to have something like this if we're really going to make the downtown work."