Category Archives: Downtown

… As If People Mattered

Posted on April 24, 2018 by

A while ago, our group read this great piece which reflects on design and impact of buildings with and without the “benefit” of an architect: “Architecture As If People And The Planet Mattered”, by Taz Loomans. It “hit home” with all of us. … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Downtown, Planning | Leave a comment

Another skinny example

Posted on November 30, 2015 by

The subdivided retail unit next to the Round Lake Beach Kohl’s is STILL vacant. (We’ve been coming up with examples of other, successful businesses and activities which could make use of the space, but no takers so far. As shown in our original post about … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Design, Downtown, Economics | Leave a comment

Yay! Another Strip Mall!

Posted on November 8, 2015 by

Well, it was time for more “growth”, so they broke out the ol’ “What Should We Build Next?” Wheel.  When the “Build a Downtown” option fell off decades ago, it was replaced with “Spin Again”. They since have gotten so used to all the options … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Business, Design, Downtown, Planning, Walkability | 1 Comment

A look at LZ’s “Rock The Block”

Posted on September 11, 2015 by

While we don’t have to “copy” other villages and towns for ideas of what to do in our own, it is prudent to see what works (and what doesn’t) for our neighbors AND find out the “why” and “how” in each case. … Continue reading →

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Vacant is as Vacant does

Posted on July 25, 2015 by

Decided to check for signs of life at the vacant retail unit next to Sally Beauty Supplies while getting some greeting cards at Ann’s Hallmark (same building as the Kohl’s). No sign of life. In fact, the “Unit For Lease” window … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Design, Downtown, Economics | 1 Comment

Form-based vs Use-based code Example 1

Posted on June 15, 2014 by

[We’re going to look at a circumstance in neighboring Antioch IL as an opportunity to learn why using the CORRECT “Code” for planning and building a village is so important!] If you’ve lived in this area for any amount of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Community, Downtown, Planning, Seniors, Walkability | Leave a comment

Sunday Small-Business Blues

Posted on March 30, 2014 by

So this is the first “nice” weekend of spring (after that extra-nasty winter), and we were out and about today like good American consumers, spending money here, and planning to spend money later there. (That IS what we’re supposed to do, isn’t it? … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Downtown, Economics, Planning, Resilience, Walkability | Leave a comment

Thoughts on the old Applebee’s location

Posted on July 4, 2013 by

… and an update. It wasn’t just the RLB Applebee’s. The Franchise holder for all Applebee’s in Illinois went bankrupt a few months ago. There was a sale of assets, during which potential new owners would have a chance to … Continue reading →

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To help you imagine…

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

Without even the wreckage of an old “downtown district” or village center from which to “re-build”, several residents have told us that they can’t even picture what a downtown here would look like, were there to be one in the wastelands between … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Downtown, Economics, Planning | 2 Comments

Localism 101: Investing

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

What should we do to help build our local economy? What CAN we do? Have other communities made helpful changes that we can do here as well? Before we run out and maybe make a mistake because we just “Have to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Downtown, Economics, Planning | Leave a comment