Deerpath Road Reopens After $3.3M Overhaul, Businesses React

BREAKING: Deerpath Road has officially reopened as of October 31, 2025, following a $3.3 million streetscape project that lasted nearly ten months. City officials and residents are expressing relief and optimism, while businesses along the corridor are sharing mixed reactions to the long-awaited change.

The reopening of this vital east-west route through Lake Forest’s central business district marks a significant milestone in a project that began in January. The initiative aimed to modernize infrastructure, enhance pedestrian safety, and refresh the downtown aesthetic. A related project on Bank Lane, which connects Deerpath to Southgate, concluded just days later on November 6, 2025.

“This project creates a safer, more accessible, and beautiful streetscape for our community to enjoy for decades to come,” stated Mayor Stanford “Randy” Tack during a ceremony on November 8. The city’s vision for the project, which has been in the planning stages for almost a decade, was to complete all phases consecutively for efficiency.

According to city spokeswoman Dana Olson, the Deerpath upgrades were funded with $1.4 million from local sources and the remaining through a federal grant managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Bank Lane project added an additional $1.6 million to the city’s expenditures.

The overhaul included replacing utilities, enhancing sidewalks and crosswalks, as well as adding landscaping and decorative lighting to attract pedestrians. “The Deerpath Streetscape Project is an investment in the future of Lake Forest,” Olson emphasized. “It strengthens the heart of our community and enhances the everyday experience of those who live, work, and visit Lake Forest.”

However, the lengthy construction period has left some local business owners feeling the strain. Mark Roberts, owner of Mark David Designs, expressed his gratitude for the finished product but highlighted the emotional and financial toll the project took on his business. “I’m glad it’s done,” he remarked. “But the past ten months have been stressful, with limited customer access.”

Roberts raised concerns over safety, pointing to what he described as unclear crosswalk markings outside his store. “Nobody knows where the actual crosswalk is or the stop,” he noted. Olson countered that the concrete banding is the intended crosswalk demarcation.

Similarly, Crystal Gambill, who opened her athleisure shop Lux Lane in February, agreed that construction adversely affected customer access. “People were tripping, and it was hazardous,” she said. “We rely on foot traffic, and with our limited social media presence, it was hard for customers to find us.”

Conversely, some businesses are already witnessing positive changes. Adam Dlatt, co-owner of Once Upon A Bagel, reported an increase in customer traffic since the project’s completion. “Now that the construction is over, we are seeing a new influx of customers, and we couldn’t be happier,” he said.

The Lake Forest City Council has initiated relief grants for businesses affected by the construction. Eligible merchants can receive a grant of up to $11,650 based on sales revenue lost between January 1 and October 31, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Currently, eleven businesses have received grants, with applications open until December 31, 2025.

Roberts noted that while he applied for the grant, he felt it offered little substantial help. “It’s like pouring water on the fire after it’s out,” he stated.

In a bid to revitalize downtown shopping, the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce has launched a holiday shopping promotion that will run through December 1, 2025.

As the community adjusts to the new look and feel of Deerpath Road, the long-term impacts of the streetscape project remain to be seen. Residents and business owners alike are hopeful that these improvements will foster a vibrant downtown atmosphere for years to come.