Oswego economic development staff outlines site‑selection strategy, reports $100,000 boost to incentive fund

Oswego — Village economic development staff told the Economic Development Commission on an evening meeting that the village is promoting available commercial sites, and that the village board recently added $100,000 to the economic development incentive award program, including $20,000 earmarked to Freddy’s Off the Chain, which opened this week.

Kevin McAdams, economic development staff, said the $100,000 increase was approved at the village board level and that the $20,000 for Freddy’s was needed because its 2021 incentive award had a condition tied to opening. "The village board added $100,000, $20,000 of which was to go to Freddy's Off the Chain," McAdams said. "So, there'll be $80 remaining in the fund — $80 and some change."

The presentation that followed detailed how real estate decisions are actually made by business owners, developers and site selectors rather than the municipality, and outlined what site characteristics most commonly drive deals: frontage and access for retailers, co‑tenancy, pad‑ready utilities, and available power for data centers. McAdams said Oswego’s recent residential growth — roughly 600 new housing units per year in recent years, he said — has made the village more attractive to retailers and restaurants.

Why it matters: The added funds allow the village to follow through on earlier incentive commitments and keep the local incentive program active as developers and businesses consider Oswego for new investment. Commissioners also discussed downtown infrastructure and how lighting, parking and nightlife affect recruitment and retention of restaurants and entertainment uses.

Commission discussion and project updates Commissioners pressed staff for specifics on pending incentives and redevelopment obstacles. McAdams said one sales‑tax sharing request tied to the Duncan project on Plainfield Road will appear on an upcoming village board agenda; he described “substantial site issues” that the developer says must be addressed. On stormwater, McAdams said engineers are requiring underground detention piping rather than surface detention for that site and that the agenda materials due out with the board packet will provide more details.

On downtown and corridors, staff outlined several sites that have proved difficult to lease or develop: an about‑90‑acre parcel north of Route 34 where the owner reportedly will sell only the entire tract and will not name a price, ComEd easements that bisect parcels, and infill lots that lack pad‑ready utilities. McAdams described Orchard Road and Route 34 as distinct trade areas with differing density and traffic counts that influence tenant interest. He said the village keeps an online available‑sites inventory and does targeted outreach including trade shows and broker calls.

Commissioners and members of the public raised safety and ambiance in the downtown, asking about street lighting, holiday/string lights and additional parking. One commissioner said, "The ambiance that we're talking about with the strung lights ... if we want people to come downtown, we need to be thinking in those ways," noting the relationship between lighting, perceived safety and nightlife. McAdams said permanent streetscape and lighting upgrades are in the capital improvement plan but not yet budgeted; other large infrastructure projects are taking priority.

Other project notes from staff - Benderson project (across from Delta Sonic): The village board approved plans in February for a grocery‑anchored development with roughly 10,000 square feet of additional retail; a tenant name was not disclosed. McAdams said construction could start later this year. - Tap House (downtown): McAdams said the Tap House closed and building owner has received multiple letters of intent; negotiations are ongoing for a successor restaurant tenant. - Nori Sushi and Gas & Wash: McAdams said those tenants remain under construction with openings expected later in the year. Skechers is building in the former Petco space. - Business retention: staff reported eight business retention/expansion visits over the prior months and encouraged ongoing check‑ins with restaurants and retailers to surface operational problems and resource needs.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes, Feb. 5, 2025: motion passed on roll call (commissioners recorded in the meeting as voting in favor with one abstention for absence). - Motion to adjourn: approved on roll call.

Ending: McAdams closed his report by handing out certificates to outgoing commission members and encouraging commissioners to reapply; commissioners thanked departing members and discussed follow‑up events, broker outreach and near‑term board agenda items.