New Lenox Residents Want Business Development on the South Side of Town

The village's study on the vision of the Route 30 Corridor got many residents suggesting a more pedestrian-friendly commercial area. Obviously Route 30 is a main drag, which could be problematic for the development of a substantial pedestrian-friendly commercial district. Patch posed the question on Facebook about development on the south side of town.

The Village Station project along Laraway and Cedar Roads was first proposed in 2005. It was planned as a 236-acre combination commercial and residential project. The last update on that project was in June 2012, when the Regional Transit Authority agreed that it would come to the aid of New Lenox in its plans to revitalize the Village Station project, providing developer recruitment and solicitation. Why not let village officials know what you would like to see.

Here are some comments from readers on Patch's Facebook:

• "Yes please! I live close to there and would love somewhere to walk to with the kids."
• "Having been waiting for that for years. The signs aren't even there anymore!"
• "If u build it, they will come."
• "That would be great; something a bit closer is always nice."
• "We need more stores on the north side and the south side of town."
• "We need a Starbucks by Laraway and the train station."
• "Laraway, Nelson and Cedar need sidewalks. No way to get north of Laraway to get to town besides a car."
• "Something upscale."
• "I'd be happy with any development on Laraway. I think I moved to the wrong side of the tracks, the south end of New Lenox needs everything. Wish the mayor lived this direction, then things would be happening on the forgotten side of town."
• "More traffic. Sure we need more, yeah."
• "Do the roads first."

Read more about development along the Route 30 Corridor. 

How would you like to see the south side of town develop? Tell us in the comments.

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