During the May 18 Village Board Meeting, Centennial Founder and Chief Executive Officer Steven Levin thanked the Board and community for partnering in the redevelopment of Hawthorn Mall. Mr. Levin presented the Board with several bricks from Sears (which served as the cornerstone of Hawthorn Mall for over 40 years), and a gold shovel, which was used during the ground breaking ceremony for Hawthorn 2.0 – representing the last 40 years, and the 40 years still ahead.

Mr. Levin noted, "I assure you and I promise you that with your support, and what we are committed to do, that we will make you proud. This will be a project that I believe that in America, people will look at what has been done at Hawthorn and in Vernon Hills as one of the best projects in America. I believe that in my heart of hearts."

During the May 18 Board Meeting, Trustees formally approved the Redevelopment Agreement, which provides support to the project developers as well as to the community. For more information about the agreement as well as the Hawthorn 2.0 Redevelopment Plan, please refer to the resources that follow:

Vernon Hills Village Board Meeting - 5/18/21

Hawthorn Mall Redevelopment Agreement web article (April 14, 2021)

Hawthorn Mall 2.0 web pages