The Evolution of the Grayslake Village Center

The phrase “it doesn’t just happen overnight” holds true when thinking about the evolution of the Grayslake Village Center. When you’re driving down Center Street and you cross into the heart of town, you know you’re somewhere special. The antique fixtures, historic buildings, bright flower baskets, and softly glowing holiday lights all create a charming sense of place… and represent decades of planning. Past and current mayors, Village Board members, Village management, and many other people and organizations have worked carefully and with intention to create a Village Center – a place that feels like a nod to the simpler times of the past while also meeting today’s active lifestyle. Over the last 50 years, the names and faces have changed but one thing has remained consistent: the vision.

Mike Ellis, Grayslake’s Village Manager, started his career with the Village of Grayslake in 1984 and became Village Manager in 1987. Mike can recount first-hand how the Village Center has evolved and the deliberate planning that has made it what it is today.

1970s and 1980s

Ellis recalls the changing retail patterns during the 1970s and 1980s and the impact those had on Grayslake. Grayslake and other area residents began visiting shopping malls and made fewer visits to the local shops. This decline, and other factors, led to an increased vacancy rate in the downtown Grayslake. In addition, many buildings were in disrepair.

The Village saw the need to begin revitalization of the town. In 1984, Center Street went through a major construction project, lasting nearly a year, which involved updating the roads to allow for increased parking and fixing sidewalks.

In 1989, the Village developed a Comprehensive Plan which included many key initiatives such as laying groundwork to expand the local economy during the anticipated population growth of the 1990s. The Plan also called for revitalizing downtown Grayslake as the central hub of the community.

1990s and 2000s

In the 1990s, the Plan really started gaining steam. During this time, thousands of homes were being built and the Village saw an influx of people moving to Grayslake. It was critical at this time for the Village to take an active planning role to not only focus on the downtown area, but also to ensure these developments provided connection to allow easy access to the Village Center for bicycles and pedestrians.

In 1998, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) developed a “Plan for Success” which included various action items such as establishing the needed infrastructure for more festivals and events so residents could enjoy coming to the Village Center’s historic downtown. The Village continued to work with the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce to be the contracted provider of various events, business support, and community outreach. The Chamber still serves in this role today.

During these significant growth years, key characteristics of the Grayslake Village Center emerged. The aesthetics became more of a focus – with the Village’s goal to make a warm, inviting and cohesive town. This is when the antique lighting went up, the stamped concrete along the streets and sidewalks was introduced, and in 2000, the clocktower in Millennium Court was built.

The now-iconic clocktower, built to mark the new millennium, was funded through extensive fundraising efforts and Village funds. It shares the southeast corner of Center Street and Seymour Avenue with the Millennium Veterans Memorial, a memorial honoring the brave individuals who served in the United States military.

At the same time, the vision expanded to grow beyond “downtown Grayslake.” Village leaders saw the value of having more than a downtown shopping district. Ellis credits Tim Rafferty, owner of Rudolph’s Furniture and then president of the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce, for coining the name “Community Campus” for the amenities that would branch out from the downtown in the late 1990s and 2000s.

The Community Campus includes what is now present-day Gelatin Park, Central Park, and where the Esper A. Petersen Foundation Family Aquatic Center, Daniel Barry Memorial Skate Park, Grayslake Senior Center and Grayslake Area Public Library reside.

The library opened at its current home on Library Lane in 1997, leaving their previous location on Center Street. The aquatic center opened in 2000, after a generous donation by Esper A. Petersen and partnership with the Village.

In 2005, the Village built out their next Comprehensive Plan which included their continued goals for the improvement of quality of life for residents and the ongoing creation of the Village Center as a community focal point.

And following that plan, great things really began happening in the Village Center. Ellis talked about how the Grayslake Park District took over Central Park, which was once private property, bringing green space and many recreational amenities. He also recounts The Vine Martini & Wine Bar opening – bringing a new type of cuisine and vibrancy to the downtown. Grayslake really had more for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The current Village Hall had been built on Seymour Avenue (it previously stood on Hawley and Whitney Streets) in 1995, and in 2008, the Grayslake Police Department was added there. A couple years later, a festival space was created behind Village Hall (Whitney Street). It was specifically designed with water access for food vendors and enough electrical hookups to power multiple stages, carnivals rides, and anything else festival organizers might need. Grayslake now had a centrally located space to hold the many events hosted by the Chamber and other organizations.

Parking has also been a key priority to support the growth and increased number of events and business offerings. To keep downtown Grayslake picturesque and provide enough parking, the Village maintains 10 parking lots directly behind the businesses on Center Street. Between these lots and the ample street parking, there are over 300 spaces all within a 3-minute walk (or less!) between your car and Center Street dining and shopping. The 2023 tear-down of the Oasis building added more public parking as well.

2010s and Beyond

In 2010 the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum opened on Hawley Street. Through their partnership with the Grayslake Historical Society, they have created many exhibits for visitors to learn from and enjoy. They’ve established a place that not only connects people to Grayslake’s rich history but also provides culture to the area through their many events and contributions to the community.

This is also the decade when the Village of Grayslake acquired the former Grayslake Gelatin Factory which had served as a major employer for several decades before shutting down in the early 1980s. The site was full of environmental hazards, and cleanup included removing 85,000 square feet of asbestos and lead paint, 20 pounds of mercury, 1,050 pounds of electronics, 226 gallons of oil, and more. After a public vote to decide the name, Gelatin Park opened in 2018. The park provides a connection between historic downtown Grayslake to Central Park. The smokestack remains today with the large lettering “Grayslake” on one side and “Gelatin” on the other – an ode to Grayslake’s past.

In 2017, a park was created around Millennium Court. The enticing greenspace included benches, paths, and History in the Park displays from the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum and the Grayslake Historical Society. In 2019 the park’s expansion continued with a fountain that operates approximately eight months per year. The entire park is known today as Village Center Commons.

After resident feedback, the Village introduced an ice skating rink in Gelatin Park in 2021. This, along with the sledding/cardio hill that exists on that site, provides winter recreational opportunities and makes Gelatin Park a year-round attraction.

The connectivity that exists from the downtown area to Gelatin Park, Central Park and throughout the Village Center is something that is most cherished by residents and visitors alike. It’s easy to recreate in the parks or use the amenities of the community campus and then walk over to Center Street and grab a meal or attend one of the many events taking place on the weekdays and weekends.

Ellis attributed the bustling line up of events, high quality restaurants, diverse retail, civic organizations, recreation opportunities and the many other business offerings, as the key elements in making the Grayslake Village Center a unique, valued place for residents and visitors – truly at the center of it all.

He reflected on the old show “The A Team”, and its famous catchphrase, “I love it when a plan comes together.” He said that through partnerships, community efforts, and planning, The Grayslake Village Center was intended to be what it is today.

And there is still more Ellis hopes to see happen in the Village Center as it continues to evolve. Day by day, year by year, there are more good things to come.

If you would like to get more involved in the community by volunteering at any of the events taking place in the Grayslake Village Center, please reach out to the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 847-223-6888 or emailing thegreatergrayslakechamber@gmail.com. They are always excited for additional help with Grayslake events. Help make a difference in our great community!