Lincolnwood Village President Jesal Patel boasted of business development and improved municipal services in his annual State of the Village address on Friday, May 10.
Patel said the 2.5-square-mile community has only 13,463 people but more than 500 businesses.
“It’s amazing how much has happened in the last year,” he said. “It’s astonishing, starting with the development of the former Purple Hotel.”
The former Hyatt House Hotel at 4500 W. Touhy Ave., known for its purple brick panels, had been vacant since 2007 until it was demolished and redeveloped as District 1860, a mix of commercial and residential uses.
“Tenants have moved in,” Patel said. “It’s close to half full.”
The center currently houses a LensCrafters location and three restaurants, including Fat Rosie’s Taco and Tequila Bar, Fatpour Tap Works and Davanti Enoteca, all of which are very pleased with their welcome to Lincolnwood, he said.
“Restaurants opening isn’t news,” Patel said. “It’s the feedback we got from the restaurants. We’ve received nonstop compliments on everything our staff has done and on their experience here. I’m very proud of the response and feedback.”
Additionally, the village’s first marijuana dispensary, Green Rose, 4656 W. Touhy, has opened nearby, while other area towns have experienced problems attracting dispensaries, he said.
“We did it without requiring a special use,” Patel said of the dispensary. “We built in rules and regulations that let the (dispensary) community know we meant business. They’re open and report doing great.”
Patel attributed the favorable feedback from businesses in part to modernizing Lincolnwood’s Community Development Department to offer more streamlined services that are easier to navigate.
“Hiring a building inspector was a big deal,” he said. “It helps get through the permit process quicker and certainly was less painful than before. Online permitting is a very effective tool to help us push out permits. It’s very desirous of the development community.”
Patel’s comments were warmly received by an audience of about 100, hosted by the Lincolnwood Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Patrick Gallivan, manager of L. Woods Tap and Pine Lodge, said he was impressed with the mayor’s speech.
“He did a very nice job presenting the village in the positive light it should be in,” Gallivan said. “All the recent developments – for example, District 1860 – represent so much potential for the village. All the new restaurants, everyone’s interest in being here today are evidence of that.”
Trustee Grace Diaz-Herrera agreed.
“There was a lot of focus on updates,” Diaz-Herrera said. “A lot happened this past year and it’s only May. I’m very excited.”
Patel said the annual Lincolnwood Fest continues to attract more and more people.
“Since we’re back after Covid, it’s gotten better and better every year,” he said. “We had 25,000 people over four days, even with a weather event shutting us down last year.”
Patel said village officials heard residents “loud and clear” when they asked for pickleball courts, so Lincolnwood is adding six at Proesel Park.
Meanwhile, the village’s first green alley project, funded partially with grant funds, was a huge success and officials hope to continue the program by applying for additional grants, he said.
“We have never had an alley maintenance or management program,” Patel said. We’re taking steps to adopt one. Alleys are essential passageways in Lincolnwood.”
The inaugural Green Alley Project was implemented in an alley on the south side of Touhy between Keating and Kilpatrick avenues, he said.
“It was in bad shape,” Patel said. “Now it’s a green alley. It has permeable bricks and a stone base to allow stormwater to infiltrate and disperse into the ground before entering the sewer.”