Plans were presented to the West Dundee Village Board to transform the land once occupied by Spring Hill Mall into a development featuring new homes, retail, entertainment, and civic areas. Tim Scott, the village’s director of economic development, planning, zoning, and urban design, along with Houseal Lavigne Associates, a Chicago-based urban planning firm, provided an overview of potential developments.

Development Concepts

The proposed redevelopment includes two main concepts: an ‘urban village’ and a ‘mixed-use boulevard.’ The site could accommodate between 778 to 1,326 new residential units. The approach to development will depend on specific projects proposed for the site.

Urban Village

In the urban village concept, plans suggest 778 residential units, 320,000 square feet of retail space, 200 retail jobs, and 35,000 square feet of civic space, along with 1,830 parking spaces. Buildings in this concept would have a maximum height of five floors with an estimated cost of $283 million.

Mixed-Use Boulevard

The mixed-use boulevard concept envisions 1,326 residential units, 400,000 square feet of retail space, 35,000 square feet of civic space, and 1,350 parking spaces. The maximum building height is also five floors, with an estimated cost of $449 million.

Development Strategy

The purpose of these concepts is to attract developers. Sujan Shrestha, a senior planner for Houseal Lavigne, emphasized placing housing next to existing residences and retail near current commercial areas. The property near Carpentersville may extend into the village-owned part of the mall.

Community Engagement

An online microsite for updates and a detailed presentation will be launched. Additionally, Houseal Lavigne is developing an interactive application for users to explore the proposed development virtually. Village President Chris Nelson highlighted that public input sessions and town hall forums will precede any official progress.

Long-term Vision

Nelson stated that the full redevelopment might take 10 years or more. In February 2025, the village signed a $124,970 contract with Houseal Lavigne to assist with the redevelopment process. Spring Hill Mall, built in the 1980s, closed in March 2024 after West Dundee and Carpentersville purchased parts of the site.

Next Steps

Future steps include preparing documentation, setting up project frameworks, and establishing a public safety center. Village Manager Joe Cavallaro mentioned that the first development step will likely be the public safety center. Scott discussed the importance of aligning utility and roadway layouts with the village’s vision.