The Evolution of the
Grayslake Village Center
Building with Intention
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 the 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 - 1980s: Revitalization
The Village saw the need to begin revitalization of downtown Grayslake in the 1970s and 1980s. Ellis recalls changes in retail patterns to downtown and many buildings in disrepair. In 1984, Center Street went through a major construction project updating roads, increasing parking and fixing sidewalks.
Comprehensive Plan: In 1989, The Village developed a Comprehensive Plan which included many key initiatives including:
1. Laying groundwork to expand the local economy during the anticipated population growth of the 1990s.
2. Revitalizing downtown Grayslake as the central hub of the community.
1990s and 2000s: Growth
Population Growth: In the 1990s, the plan really started gaining steam. Thousands of homes were being built, and the Village of Grayslake saw an influx of people. It was critical for the Village to take an active planning role to ensure these developments provided connection to allow easy access to the Village Center for bicycles and pedestrians.
Plan for Success: 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 in the Village Center’s historic downtown.
Chamber: 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.
Village Center Characteristics: The aesthetics became more of a focus – with the Village’s goal to make a warm, inviting and cohesive town. Antique lighting went up, the stamped concrete along the streets and sidewalks was introduced, and in 2000, the clocktower in Millennium Court was built.
There was also more growth and expansion to go beyond “downtown Grayslake”. 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”, which began development off the downtown in the late 1990s and 2000s.
Community Campus: The Community Campus includes what is now present-day Gelatin Park, Central Park, the Esper A. Petersen Foundation Family Aquatic Center, Daniel Barry Memorial Skate Park, Grayslake Senior Center and Grayslake Area Public Library.
Community Campus Grows: The Grayslake Area Public Library opened at its current home on Library Lane in 1997 and the aquatic center opened in 2000.
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.
Central Park: The Grayslake Park District took over Central Park, which was once private property, bringing green space and many recreational amenities.
The Vine - Martini & Wine Bar: Ellis recounts The Vine Martini & Wine Bar opening – bringing a new type of cuisine and vibrancy to the downtown.
Festival Space: In 2008, the Grayslake Police Department addition was built onto the current Village Hall on Seymour Avenue, and a festival space was created a couple years later 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: Parking has 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.
2010s and Beyond: Expansion
Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum: 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 continue to bring many events to the community.
Gelatin Park: The Village of Grayslake acquired the former Grayslake Gelatin Factory which served as a major employer for several decades. Gelatin Park opened in 2018 – now connecting historic downtown Grayslake to Central Park. The smokestack remains today.
Village Center Commons: In 2017, Millennium Court grew with the expansion of the 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 the fountain. The entire park is known today as the Village Center Commons.
Skating Rink: 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.
Connectivity: 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.
Ellis 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.
To read the full article about the Evolution of the Grayslake Village Center, click here.
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!