The Village of River Forest developed and maintains this site to keep residents informed with the latest updates on the Lake Lathrop Mixed-Use Project. This page will be updated regularly to ensure the community has access to timely and accurate information as events progress.
It is now time for the Village to look ahead and plan for the future of this important River Forest property. Any updates will be shared with community members through the Village’s weekly E-newsletters. For any additional questions about the site, please contact Matt Walsh, Village Administrator at mwalsh@vrf.us.
Project & Site History
- April 4, 2025: The Village continues to aggressively pursue the demolition and restoration of the Lake & Lathrop project site. On Friday, the Village filed a briefing defending its stance that the incomplete, dangerous nuisance structures onsite must be removed as soon as possible. Restoring the site to a vacant lot with grass will prepare the site for future building, consistent with the Village’s priority to attract appropriate and viable development for the property.
- On February 20, 2025, the following update was provided in the weekly newsletter: On February 14, a Cook County judge granted the Village's "Motion to Dismiss" a lawsuit from Lake Lathrop Partners LLC. The lawsuit claimed the Village interfered with the developer's ability to complete the project at the Lake & Lathrop property, and also demanded a new building permit be issued to them. This legal decision supports the Village's actions related to this project, and enables the focus moving forward to be on motivating the property owner, Wintrust Bank, to resolve its foreclosure case with the developer. Once this happens, a new developer can be sought to find the best and highest use for this important commercial property.
- On January 9, 2025, the following update was provided in the weekly newsletter.
"The Village is continuing its efforts to motivate Wintrust Bank and Lake Lathrop Partners to resolve their litigation so that a new development will be possible for this property.
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On January 8, 2025, a judge consolidated the ongoing foreclosure case between these two parties with the Village’s lawsuit - seeking immediate demolition of the structures on the property. The next hearing is on January 22.
The additional pending related case is between the Village and Lake Lathrop Partners regarding the developer's demand that a new building permit be issued for the project. The Village has filed a motion to dismiss the suit, and a ruling is expected before February 13.
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The court-appointed receiver, Ascend Real Estate Group (Ascend), has listed the Lake & Lathrop property for sale through real estate broker JLL. The sale of this property will be subject to Wintrust Bank’s agreement and court approval. Any liens burdened on the property will be the responsibility of Sedgwick Properties, and then Wintrust Bank after the property is transferred by its foreclosure. The Village maintains the authority to grant or deny zoning entitlement for any proposed projects at this location.
The Village has been reimbursed for the Ashland sidewalk repairs made in September and Ascend has paid the outstanding property taxes owed on the site. The joint cost Wintrust Bank paid for property repairs and taxes through October 31, 2023 is $66,408.34. The total budget to date submitted by the receiver and approved by Wintrust Bank, which includes Village-paid expenses and taxes, professional fees and receiver fees, is $108,303.58.
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On November 10, 2023, the following update was provided in the weekly newsletter: "Wintrust Bank, the former Lake & Lathrop project lender, and the court-appointed receiver, Ascend Real Estate Group, continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the Lake & Lathrop site, as well as for the marketing of this prime commercial property for redevelopment. The Village previously invested in this project to create a clean, viable site for development that was promised to our residents. This goal was successfully achieved in 2021 and took place prior to Wintrust Bank’s involvement as the project lender in 2022. Since then, Wintrust Bank has been responsible for the project’s oversight to ensure it came to fruition, which did not happen by the time the former developer's, Sedgwick Properties, building permit expired on September 15, 2023. The Village will not issue another building permit to Sedgwick Properties for this project. Additionally, the Village will stay in communication with Wintrust Bank to keep track of its progress, and looks forward to a new development in the near future at this location."
- On October 12, 2023, the following update was included in the Village President's letter: "..."the Village continues to communicate with the court-appointed receiver regarding the improvements being made on the former Lake & Lathrop project site, to ready it for future development. Last week, the concrete mixing silos were removed, and the site fencing is now stabilized. For questions regarding the site, please contact the receiver, Ascend Real Estate Group, at 312-252-9270."
- On September 28, 2023, the following update was included in the weekly newsletter: "Cleanup at the former Lake & Lathrop construction site is ongoing. The Cook County Circuit Court appointed receiver for the property is managing these efforts, which most recently included placing dirt and seed on Ashland and Lathrop avenues adjacent to the newly placed sidewalks that are now walkable for pedestrians. Additionally, dumpsters have been removed from the site, and the receiver is working with contractors to remove additional construction materials. Other improvements planned in the coming weeks/months are to have fencing around the site replaced, and the removal of cement silos on the property. All these site improvements are expected to be completed before the end of the construction season (end of November) and will help to prime and market this property for future development.
- In February 2022, an eighteen-month building permit was issued to Sedgwick Properties for the construction of a mixed-use development including retail and residential units. In August 2023, the building permit expired, and an extension was granted provided that specific criteria were met by September 15, 2023. On September 15, 2023, the specific criteria were not met and the Village issued a stop work order on the property. On September 13, a receiver was appointed by the bank and took responsibility for the site moving forward.
- In June 2021, after Lake Lathrop Partners demolished and remediated the properties at a cost of $3 million, the IEPA issued a no further remediation letter that stated the site is clean and could be developed. Prior to this time, no construction would have been allowed. The IEPA letter approving remediation can be viewed here.
- In 2018, the Village Board approved a Planned Development Permit for the mixed use project.
- In 2016, the Village Board approved a Redevelopment Agreement with Lake Lathrop Partners, LLC, a nominee of Keystone Ventures.
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In 2010, there was no planned develeopment at the site. The Village issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the development opportunity at the corner of Lake Street & Lathrop Avenue. Keystone Ventures was the lone respondent. The Village entered into an agreement with Keystone Ventures, LLC committing TIF funds for redevelopment costs in December 2010.
As additional updates are made available, they will be published in the Village's weekly or monthly newsletters (click here to subscribe) and also added to this page.
Past Project Updates