Tuesdays at APA: Redfield to Redevelopment in Libertyville, Illinois

Redfield to Redevelopment in Libertyville, Illinois
February 21, 2012


The newly minted term redfield refers to financially distressed
development projects (i.e., properties in the red). As a result
of the Great Recession, few communities are immune to the
negative effects of redfields. The relatively affluent community
of Libertyville, Illinois, felt the sting when plans for high-end
townhomes and the adaptive reuse of a decommissioned elementary
school near the village's vibrant downtown went bust in 2008.
Then in 2010 Libertyville-based developer John McLinden
negotiated purchase of the bank-owned site and secured approval
from the Village for the new urbanist SchoolStreet development.


At build out, SchoolStreet will feature 26 single-family homes
designed to blend with the historic turn-of-the-century homes in
the neighborhood in addition to urban lofts in the preserved
school. Apart from the project's prime location near downtown and
a commuter rail station, another key to the project's success has
been an architect-guided design process that allows buyers to
customize their homes without adding to final costs.


John Spoden, AICP, from the Village of Libertyville and John
McLinden from StreetScape Development discussed the details of
the SchoolStreet project and explained how this project supports
the village's long-term vision for growth and change.