Morris Comprehensive Plan Update Approved
February 26, 2010
The Morris Planning Commission approved an update to the City's Comprehensive Plan after a pubic hearing on Wednesday February 25th, 2010. During the hearing no one spoke in opposition to the plan or its updated land uses. Two years ago to date, the city's Plan Commission held a hearing on a possible warehouse facility. More than 100 people attended to protest the plan. The mass opposition caused the commission to turn down the company and made it clear the city's comprehensive plan needed to be updated. The resulting update, driven by Teska Associates, included two online public surveys. "We had to think about what we envisioned Morris to be in the future," Mike Hoffman, city planner with Teska Associates, said.
Of those who commented, many were excited to see the city preparing for future development, rather than waiting for the development to come first. "Particularly the roads north of Interstate 80 and the northwest corner," said Morris resident Jim Baum. "That holds the key to good or bad development."
The comprehensive plan also highlights a concentration on community design, which includes cleaning up Morris' gateway or "front door" - Illinois 47 from I-80. This includes landscaping and entrance enhancements, private property improvements, and bridge enhancements. "I love the section on gateways. It's a nice idea to do something so we don't look like all the other towns. With the new city hall on 47, I think that is a reason to concentrate on that," Baum said.
At the earliest, the comprehensive plan will go to city council for approval March 15, Belt said, but it could be a later date. The plan is available for viewing online at www.morris2030.com. | Full Article
Prairie Grove Dreams of Town Center
February 25, 2010
Teska Associates in conjunction with Metro Transportation Group, LandUse | USA, Metra and RTA (Regional Transit Authority) met with residents on Wednesday night to host a public open house and discuss the 'Town Center and Transit Oriented Development Plan'. Residents, who had voiced visions of walking to their favorite eatery and doing a little shopping before catching the Metra in downtown, had good things to say. "They've got reasonable housing proposed, and it's very environmentally sensitive," nearby Burton's Bridge resident Lori McConville said. The development is pedestrian friendly, with a Metra station, bike paths, office space, commercial, residential and recreational all "woven around the topography of the site," Village Administrator Jeannine Smith said. | Click here to read full article
Sherman Plaza Streetscape: Banding Together to Create a 'Sense of Place'
January 21, 2010
Strolling through the heart of downtown Evanston is exciting again! Inviting retail stores, a new municipal parking garage and a condominium tower breathe life into the downtown. Punctuated by tiered raised planters, richly textured specialty paving, decorative lighting and dynamic public art, the surrounding streetscape celebrates Evanston's walkable urban center. Teska Associates prepared urban design concepts, construction documents and construction oversight for the Sherman Plaza development that complement the downtown master planned streetscape design theme. (Full Article)
Public gives direction on future of downtown | Western Springs, IL
January 21, 2010
A book store, gift and card shop and a specialty prepared foods store topped the list of prospective businesses Western Springs residents would patronize in their downtown, according to a survey from December. Results of the survey were presented Jan. 13 at the first of three community meetings to gather input on crafting a downtown redevelopment plan, guided by Teska Associates, Inc., consultants based in Plainfield and Evanston. Joe Lane, association president, said he hasn't yet reviewed the survey but has high hopes of positive results for the downtown from the planning process, unlike past efforts where little changed. About 60 residents attended the Jan. 13 meeting, said Martin Scott, community development director. After hearing a presentation on the survey and the planning process, residents broke into small groups to brainstorm ideas.
"It's exciting. They're doing this one right," Lane said. "It went very well. It's different than in the past because it's very interactive," Scott said. "The trend is to get more input from residents and business owners."
