The small village of Marengo sits right in the path of this outward expansion. But curiously, it has not seen much growth. The population of 5,000 has remained nearly static since the 1990 census.
“Marengo just doesn’t have the perks to attract upper management,” said Hank DeBoer, chairman of Marengo’s Economic Development Commission. DeBoer referred to the amenities he said are needed to lure high-income suburban company managers.
The village does not have a movie theater or health club. It previously had two grocery stores, but one closed. And big food store chains are not interested in putting up a building in a village the size of Marengo.
Despite a lack of quantitative growth, the small downtown is changing. Retail stores are being replaced by service companies. Medical and legal offices, several restaurants and three banks now line the main street. A handful of retail shops remains, including a dime store that sells notions and pet supplies.
About 70 miles northwest of Chicago’s Loop, Marengo is probably too far from the city to ever be considered a bedroom community for downtown commuters, but some think Marengo could be a quiet, old-fashioned community for suburban workers if regulations were loosened a bit.
The village has three new subdivisions, but not much has been built there lately. Developers say strict building codes impede new projects.
Some long-time residents, strong and vocal advocates of a slow-growth policy, favor tight rules to preserve the village’s charm. Consequently, one frustrated developer described Marengo as a “stodgy” place with a “small town” attitude.
Case in point: Marengo’s village government recently turned down plans to annex 6,000 acres of farmland for the development of single-family homes. Meanwhile, neighboring Hampshire, population 1,500, acquired the nearby Northwest Tollway (I-90) interchange and 500 surrounding acres for future development.
Housing in Marengo consists mostly of old homes. They were built 80 to 100 years ago when the village was a railroad stop and meeting place for local farm families. Home prices average about $110,000.
Real estate agents said not many people are looking for old houses in Marengo, though.
“The real demand is for houses in the country,” said Jack Feldkamp, owner of Harmony Real Estate in Marengo. “People want more acreage and a nicer home.”
Young families seeking a quasi-country life can find houses in unincorporated areas on the outskirts of the village. These new homes with one or more rolling acres cost about $250,000, Feldkamp said. He added that these homes are attracting people who work in Hoffman Estates at Ameritech and Sears, Roebuck & Co.
But Feldkamp said he fears for the future of the village.
“The people moving out here want land. Rules should be relaxed. If Marengo doesn’t grow, it will die.”
