Complete Story
05/29/2025
Investment and Revitalization in Downtowns of Chicago’s South Suburbs
APA-CMS Event
Join us to explore the strategies being used to revitalize traditional downtown districts in the historic south and southwest suburbs of metropolitan Chicago. Many municipalities in this region have, over time, lacked the resources of more affluent “bedroom communities” in other areas, but are rebounding sharply by creating dynamic and transit-friendly downtowns. We’ll learn about the creative planning and economic development strategies beyond the remarkable transformation of Homewood and Lemont while making brief “stops” in Blue Island and other communities.
The presentations will feature images of changing streetscapes and plans for the future. We’ll leave ample time for Q&A and have CM credits for APA members.
Speakers:
Angela Mesaros, AICP, is the Director of Economic and Community Development for the Village of Homewood. She oversees planning, zoning, and economic development. In this role, she advises on economic development strategy and execution. Her focus is the revitalization and support of business districts, through incentives that include Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts throughout the village. A primary focus is the revitalization of downtown Homewood through Transit Oriented Development, business attraction, and retention of existing businesses. Recent projects include new mixed-use residential/ commercial development, commercial revitalization and development, a new zoning ordinance that modernizes use categories and provides for community sustainability, and an area-specific Downtown Transit-Oriented Development Plan. Angela also serves on the Municipal Design Review Network's Advisory Committee.
Jason Berry, CEcD, AICP, is the Economic and Community Development Director for the Village of Lemont, where he leads business district revitalization, active transportation, historic preservation, tourism, and marketing efforts. He also serves as a commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals in Blue Island, his longtime home. Jason is the co-author of Lemont and Blue Island in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series and the co-founder of Lemont Unlocked, a podcast exploring small-town storytelling and placemaking. He champions historic downtowns, thriving small business ecosystems, and the role of arts, culture, and bikes in economic development. His approach is shaped by two decades of public service across Chicagoland, much of it in the south suburbs.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how recent economic trends have impacted local economies in traditional suburban downtowns.
- Recall effective strategies employed in case study communities for garnering new investment and redevelopment.
- Identify thematic challenges facing traditional suburban communities.
AICP CM Credits:
- 1.0 CM (pending)
