Lindenhurst board accepts Grand Avenue TIF eligibility study, directs staff to draft redevelopment plan

Mayor Dominic Marturano and the Lindenhurst Village Board on Feb. 22 accepted a consultant’s eligibility study concluding that the Grand Avenue commercial corridor meets Illinois’ criteria for designation as a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) conservation area and authorized staff to proceed with a redevelopment plan.

Teska Associates presented the study to the board, reporting that 78% of structures in the proposed project area are older than 35 years and that the area shows “dilapidation, deterioration, excessive vacancy, and obsolescence,” the report says. The study also found the project area’s Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) declined 3.55% from 2015 while the Village’s EAV increased 15.35% over the same period, a disparity the report cited as evidence of the area’s eligibility under state law.

Village Administrator Clay Johnson and staff recommended the board accept the report and authorize Teska Associates to begin preparing a redevelopment plan with goals and strategies for the corridor. Trustee Pat Dunham moved to accept the eligibility report; Trustee Dawn Suchy seconded. In a roll call the six trustees present — Bill Anderson, Pat Dunham, Patty Chybowski, Dawn Suchy, Dawn Czarny and Heath Rosten — voted aye; the motion carried.

The board’s acceptance does not itself establish a TIF district. The next step authorized by the board is preparation of a formal redevelopment plan and related documents, which would be required before any TIF designation or financing actions. The plan is expected to identify specific redevelopment goals, proposed projects, and any potential public investment or incentives, though specific projects and funding levels were not discussed at the Feb. 22 meeting.

The board covered routine business and other agenda items after the TIF vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.