Lincolnwood village leaders want to see bustle return to the site of its iconic – but now struggling – mall site, and they are set to force public possession of the privately-owned property by eminent domain to spur redevelopment.
At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Village Board directed village staff “to commence exploration of the possible exercise of eminent domain with respect to the Lincolnwood Town Center property.”
The Lincolnwood Town Center, located at the intersection of Touhy Avenue and McCormick
Boulevard, has been a shopping destination in the north suburban area for more than three decades, town officials stated in a news release announcing the Village Board action.
The 31-acre site, which village leaders view as a prime space with an optimal location, has been listed for sale several times in the past few years. And while there are currently dozens of retailers, including Kohl’s department store as an anchor, village leaders point out that the vacancy rate “had continued to rise over time.”
Leaders believe the vacancies versus the potential – and past – highlights the need for redevelopment.
“The Village wants to assist developers with repurposing this property for the next generation of commercial retail, restaurant, and hospitality uses. Exploring eminent domain is one of the tools available to assist with redevelopment efforts,” the release states.
Mayor Jesal Patel said that giving the village staff the directive to look into a public takeover of this private property, which is managed by Farmington Hills, Michigan-based Friedman Real Estate, underscores “the commitment of the Board” to doing what can be done to best use what is considered a special site, and to bolster Lincolnwood’s business community.
“The Village Board has long recognized the importance of the Town Center as an anchor for the
vitality and success of Lincolnwood,” the mayor said.
The release explains that stakeholders, including the previous owner of Lincolnwood Town Center, worked together in 2021 and 2022 on the Lincolnwood Town Center Concept Plan to consider redevelopment scenarios for the property. A plan was reviewed and adopted by the Village Board in 2022, and information about it is on the village website.
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“The Village will continue exploring the possible exercise of eminent domain and discuss next steps for the redevelopment of this property at future Village Board meetings,” according to the release.