Economic development focus of tonight's open house

While Facebook posts about the Wild Buffalo, the new restaurant at the Buffalo Grove Golf Course seem to dominate, if not captivate, many people, it’s not the most significant event in the village.

While it is a welcome addition to the village’s restaurant scene, Buffalo Grove officials continue to examine future retail development.

Which is why tonight’s open house on the Lake Cook Corridor Market Study and Plan is an important event. It will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Arts Center, 255 McHenry Road.

It’s the second opportunity for residents to learn about plans for development of the Lake Corridor.  The first, held in February, was a SRO event during which residents had the chance to hear from village staff about economic development in Buffalo Grove.

What’s different about tonight’s meeting is that there will not be formal presentations.  Instead, residents will have the opportunity to ask village staff about the current status of economic development plans and what lies ahead.

Make a note – you probably won’t learn about what’s going into the old Dominick’s at Arlington Heights and Lake-Cook roads, nor will you get a definitive answer about the future of the concrete open space known as Town Center.  That’s because the village does not control those sites, nor is it in the leasing business.

Like so many other people, village officials can only hope there will be some movement on both fronts.

Tonight’s soiree focuses on future development. Lake-Cook Road takes front and center because in many ways it is the heart of the village. That does not diminish the importance of other areas, including the Dundee Road corridor or Milwaukee Avenue. Both are on the village’s radar for economic development. Information on the Lake Cook Corridor Market Study and other economic development information can be found at Lake Cook Corridor Market Study.

It’s also important to realize that economic development extends beyond retail. Buffalo Grove has one of the highest rates of industrial and office usage in Lake County. In fact, an estimated 20,000 people work in Buffalo Grove. A goal, say village economic development staff members, is to capture some of those 20,000 so they shop and eat in the village.

Needless to say, it’s an ongoing challenge, and one which will not be developed and/or resolved overnight.

Which is why input from residents at events like tonight is so important.