The Village Board of Trustees is scheduled to review the draft Downtown Plan and the Downtown Plan Steering Committee's recommendation at its February 21, 2012, Committee of the Whole meeting, at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Board Room.
The draft Downtown Area Plan document is available to download and review here. For individual sections of the document, please visit the Documents page.
On January 31, 2012, the Downtown Plan Steering Committee recommended that the Village Board of Trustees adopt the draft Downtown Plan to guide the future of downtown. The Committee's recommendation also identified the following series of initial steps that the Village should take to maintain positive momentum and begin the implementation of the Plan:
- Strongly consider the establishment of a tax increment financing district;
- Remove the current prohibition regarding the use of eminent domain currently stated in the Village's Business Redevelopment Plan for the Downtown;
- Construct targeted streetscape improvements and entryway design elements at locations identified by the Plan;
- Make the appropriate amendments to the Zoning Code and other Village regulations to implement the bulk, height, and architectural design standards called for in the Plan; and
- Engage in proactive steps to encourage redevelopment.
View the Results of the Downtown Charrette!
News coverage:
The Downtown Charrette was held October 17-20, 2011. Day 4: Charrette Designs Refined and Presented. After four intense days of workshops, interviews, focus groups, public meetings, and design sessions, the results of the Charrette were presented to the community at a Public Open House (view the presentation here) on the evening of Thursday, October 20th. The vision of the plan calls for a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly gathering place in which Northbrook families and residents of all ages are proud in which to live and entertain their family and friends with an array of unique shopping, dining, and recreation experiences. The Charrette Team presented several concepts and drawings to achieve this vision -- from a new "Shermerville Common"that would transform the existing practice field behind Village Hall into a public park with a new fishing pond, walking and biking paths, additional parking, and a full skating rink in the winter, to a redesigned Meadow Plaza, new commuter parking spaces, development at the current Metra parking lot, and new retail development and town center experience along Meadow, Cherry, and Church. What are your thoughts? Please email us using the button at the left. Day 3 Highlights! With the first two days of the Charrette in the books, Day 3 commenced with Village staff and the consultant team working together to develop preliminary concept sketches for the five key redevelopment sites in Downtown Northbrook. In addition, streetscape improvement sketches and the draft goals, strategies, and projects were refined throughout the day. The immense amount of feedback from the various focus groups, discussion roundtables, small group meetings, and workshops with the public and the Village's boards and commissions all contributed to how the concepts and ideas evolved throughout Day 3. __________________________________________________ After day two, there has been significant public input, interviews with stakeholders, meetings with property owners, and input from Village boards and commissions. Please see updated photos from the charrette meetings and new presentation that was provided to the boards and commissions on Tuesday, October 18th. We hope that you will join us for the unveiling of initial recommendations on Thursday, October 20th at 7:30 pm in the Village Board Room of Village Hall. From bike connections, to ideas for new development, to greening and streetscape improvements, we are all working together to make Downtown Northbrook a more vibrant location to shop, dine and take advantage of civic life for all Northbrook residents. Click here for an overview of the Day 1 Workshop!
"Visions For Downtown Include Redesigned Meadow Plaza, Parking Garage At Metra"
"Northbrook residents offer suggestions for downtown revitalization"
"Residents Dream of More Restaurants, River Walk in Downtown Northbrook"
Meeting with the Steering Committee on Wednesday evening, their comments will shape how the preliminary concepts and ideas will be further refined on Day 4 of the Charrette. We invite you to join us at the end of Day 4 for a Public Open House to review the concepts and ideas to revitalize Downtown Northbrook. The Open House will be held on Thursday, October 20th, at 7:30 pm in the Board Room at Village Hall. 
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Day 1 Charrette | On Monday, October 17th, the Charrette Team, including members of the Downtown Planning Steering Committee, Village staff, and consultants, kicked off a four-day workshop focusing on brainstorming ideas for the revitalization of Downtown Northbrook.
Beginning with a meeting with the Steering Committee, the morning transitioned to a series of focus groups with local residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to discuss issues relating to housing, transportation, and economic development. After a working lunch, the Charrette Team took a tour of the downtown study area to continue brainstorming ideas and goals within context of the downtown. Day 1 of the Charrette culminated with a Public Workshop in the evening to provide the community an opportunity to offer their own thoughts and ideas on how to improve Downtown Northbrook.