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Central Business District


Overview

The vibrant downtown shopping district is an upscale urban outdoor shopping center filled with one-of-a-CBD Centralkind boutiques, jewelry stores, national retailers, home furnishings specialty shops, unique restaurants, businesses catering to beauty and personal care, and home to the office core. The Central Business District is also host to the Highland Park Hospital complex, the seat of local government, and the City's growing multi-family residential development.

It has always been and continues to be a very special place in Highland Park. For many, it defines the City in a physical sense and confers a shared sense of community for all Highland Park residents. The Central Business District is approximately 106 acres, home to about 400 businesses, and has a daytime population of close to 9,000. Within a 1.5-mile radius of the downtown the consumer population is 22,155, within a 4-mile radius it increases to 71,084, within a 7.5-mile radius it increases to 216,737, and within a 10-mile radius the consumer population increases to 519,900.

For more information concerning available properties in Highland Park, please contact the Office of Business Development at 847.926.1027.

Central Business District Special Service Area 19
In June 2018, the Central Business District Property Owners’ Association (CBD POA) requested that the City establish a Central Business District Special Service Area (SSA) for a 3-year term, January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021, with an annual budget levy of $110,000, for marketing, events, and beautification to strengthen the long-term viability of the local economy, and to enhance the quality of the business community environment within the proposed special service area. In November 2018, the City approved SSA No. 19 as proposed. The Downtown Highland Park Alliance administered SSA 19. The Downtown Highland Park Alliance is comprised of seven property owners, including a city representative.

In August 2021, Special Service Area (SSA No. 19) was renewed for a three-year term from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024.

The boundaries of SSA 19 included all commercial properties in the B-4 and B-5 zoning districts, except residential condominiums with separate real estate tax PINs to the extent allowed by law.

The City has worked very closely with the Central Business District Property Owners Association throughout the term of the SSA. Working in concert with the property owners and businesses, the City is committed to working diligently to continue to enhance the business climate in the Central Business District (CBD) and the community overall. Regular progress reports are provided to property owners and business owners regarding infrastructure improvements, maintenance efforts, business retention, and other activities planned within the CBD.

SSA 19 Map

SSA 19 Property Identification Number List

Click below for available resources for the Central Business District:

Highland Park Chamber of Commerce