When L3 Capital finishes the latest planned work on Lake Forest’s Market Square, people like this solitary diner will have tables and chairs to gather with friends in the shopping area.
LAKE FOREST — A license agreement between Lake Forest and the owners of Market Square perking up the downtown shopping space was unanimously approved by the City Council Sept. 21 at its regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall.
One provision of the agreement will allow L3 Capital, the owner of Market Square, to hold subdued events on the “greensward” to help draw people to downtown Lake Forest and draw customer into the shops, according to Director of Community Development Catherine Czerniak.
The “greensward” is the landscaped, park-like area containing a fountain at one end and a flagpole at the other separating the stores surrounding the square, said Czerniak.
“This gives them permission to hold low-key activities like music from a string quartet or a sidewalk sale (for Market Square only),” Czerniak said. “We hope this will help draw people to the central business district.”
The agreement also provides for a joint effort between the city and L3 Capital on recycling, waste hauling, landscaping and snow removal, according to Czerniak. The recycling component will also be a pilot program for Lake Forest to determine whether it will do more of that in the commercial sector, according to Michael Thomas, the director of public works.
“This will develop efficiency for L3 and the city,” Czerniak said.
Michael Schreiber, one of the principals of L3 Capital, said he sees more than the occasional mid-afternoon concert springing from the license agreement. He said it is a continuation of the partnership, which started when his company bought the property just over two years ago.
“Since the beginning we have sought a partnership with the city,” Schreiber said. “This is very important and the previous owners did not do this. The license agreement is part of our continuing relationship with the city.”
Schreiber said his company will put tables and chairs in the “Greensward” for people to use while spending time in Market Square. He said he wants it to become a meeting place with music but the quiet events will not compete with the larger activities like Thursday concerts or holiday events. He said activities could start this fall before the weather turns cold.
“Right now there are a few benches but nowhere people can sit and eat a sandwich or pull tables together on a day like today (Sept. 24) for a meeting,” Schreiber said.
The music Schreiber said he envisions besides a string quartet are things like an acoustic guitar or jazz band without amplification. There is a business purpose too.
“We could have a string quartet playing at 2 o’clock on a weekday afternoon where parents would gather when their kids come out of school,” Schreiber said. They can enjoy the music and support our local retailers.”
When 4th Ward Alderman Jack Reisenberg introduced the agreement at the council meeting, he said he is optimistic the agreement will help merchants throughout downtown Lake Forest, not just on Market Square.
“We hope this will create more business for stores and offices in the central business district,” Reisenberg said.
Reisenberg also said he was excited about the pilot program for recycling. The city has provided residents with collection of recyclables, refuse and yard waste for decades, according to Thomas, but commercial pick up is in the hands of the property owners.
“This is a pilot for us. We want to see how it works,” Thomas said. “We want to make sure we can continue to do the good job we are doing for our residents. We are very hopeful for it.”
Schreiber said the offices and stores of Market Square currently recycle 240 tons of material a year.
“Market Square did not have the capability to recycle without the partnership and pilot program that has been put into place. It is a win for our tenants, a win for the city, and a win for the environment,” Schreiber said.
As for landscaping and snow removal, L3 Capital and the city will work together to make the process appear seamless to the public, according to Schreiber.