Building Community, Creating Place

Is your community in need of revitalization? Have a challenging site? We're here for you! From community planning and engagement to urban design and strategic placemaking, Teska's innovative approaches and expertise develops winning solutions to ensure people, places, and communities thrive.

Adapting to Thrive in the 21st Century
Crafty Revitalization Strategies
Morris, Illinois · Read APA-IL Article

Elevate Devon Corridor Plan · View
Rogers Park, Edgewater, Loyola University, Chicago

Historic West Des Moines Design Guidelines
Valley Junction, Iowa

Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan
Awarded APA-NC 2022 Marvin Collins Award
Carrboro, North Carolina

Cultivating Quality of Life & Sustainable Vibrancy
Strategic Plan · Comprehensive Plan · TIF District
Village of Deer Park, Illinois

Ainslie Arts Plaza
Project of the Lincoln Square Master Plan
Lincoln Square, Chicago

What "success" looks like depends on your needs. Our process charts a clear path, builds consensus, and delivers strategies that produce real results.

"Our community loves the new streetscape- the project has led to increased pride and vibrancy in our downtown and has helped differentiate Wilmette as an outstanding place to spend time with friends and family. The collaborative planning approach between residents, consultants and Village Staff has created something special and is spurring further ideas as to how we can support placemaking and community-building in our Village."

Mike Braiman

Village Manager at Wilmette, Illinois

“I really enjoyed being a part of Elevate Devon and learned a lot from the experience and how corridor planning works. Teska always made me feel comfortable and that my voice was heard! I was able to connect with students and faculty to discuss their concerns/hopes and was excited to see so much of what we heard in the final plan.”

Mia Roman, Loyola University Chicago

Student Ambassador for the Elevate Devon Corridor Plan

“The Teska Team were a joy to work with. They were creative and diligent about engaging meaningfully with our residents and incorporating that community feedback into a plan that reflected our Town’s preferences and values.”

Dustin Anderson

Town Manager at Munster, Indiana

"I can not say enough about Teska Associates! Over the past year we worked closely to renew our SSA. Teska was organized, affordable, knowledgeable, easily accessible for meetings, emails, calls, and so friendly. The website they created for us was beautiful, and I felt like they loved my neighborhood as much as I do. I would recommend Teska to anyone! Thank you Teska for all your hard work and dedication to your clients."

Mary Gill

Program Director, SSA #55 Mount Greenwood Community and Business Association

"The strategic planning process from beginning to end was a pleasure and we are thrilled with the final products! Thanks for everything!"

Beth McAndrews

Village Administrator, Village of Deer Park

"We greatly appreciated Teska's attention to detail and thoughtfulness as we collaborated on a final version of Evanston's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Teska's combination of graphic design skills and urban planning knowledge proved to be an ideal fit for our project."

Robinson Markus

Vice President, Evanston Development Cooperative

"We are really excited the community is so involved in the Master Plan ... it was a very collaborative process."

Rudy Flores

Executive Director Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce

"We’re so grateful to have Teska in our corner -- their positive impact in our community continues to flourish!"

Anthony Auston

Wilmette Public Library Director

"I want to extend my sincere thanks for helping us through the Zoning Ordinance Update and process. You all really went above and beyond answering our questions, responding to our changes, and keeping our eye on the prize to the finish line. It truly has been a great experience…despite all the challenges that 2020 threw our way!"

Jo Ellen Charlton

Public Works Director, City of Rolling Meadows

"Downtown is beautiful, magical, festive, and fun!”

Wilmette Resident

In a Letter to Staff regarding the Downtown Streetscape

"I would like to thank you all for an outstanding job with the completion and approval of the 2021 Comprehensive Plan. Your efforts and diligence made it possible to complete this plan with a very tight timeline. The Village of Matteson has a lot of momentum and this plan will ensure we stay on track as we grow."

Anthony Burton

Village Administrator, Village of Matteson

Valerie Kretchmer

Kretchmer Associates - Real Estate + Urban Planning

"Planning the future with citizen input is critical for the well-being of our community. Teska Associates, Inc. did an excellent job engaging our residents through a dynamic and inclusive process. The residents and I are very pleased with the results."

Jim Holland

Former Mayor, Village of Frankfort

Laura Carstens

Planning Services Manager, City of Dubuque

"I would strongly recommend Teska. While we learned more about community development practices and techniques, this consultancy went beyond that by helping us better understand the community in which we are building - engaging in meaningful conversations with community leaders. One of the outcomes was a community development strategy that has specific, actionable items we can tackle this coming year."

Windy City Habitat for Humanity

“Downtown Evanston first engaged with Teska on a re-design of our map and directory. We have also been fortunate to work closely with the City of Evanston who hired Teska on a major capital infrastructure project for the center of our district; Evanston’s Fountain Square. Teska has been tremendous, their attention to detail and straightforward approach has been so valuable to the overall success of this project.”

Annie Coakley

Former Executive Director, Downtown Evanston

Martin Scott

Director of Community Development, Village of Western Springs

Michael Toth

Community and Economic Development Director, North Aurora

"Thank you for making the new bike lanes in Downtown Kankakee, possible. They are well-designed, well-designated and make me feel safe sharing the road even during rush-hour traffic. Thank you for this important resource that makes a daily difference on my commute, health, and environmental impact. Please continue to support initiatives that encourage biking in Kankakee!"

Letter to the Mayor of Kankakee

From Resident

"Garden Park in Evanston along the lake just north of South Blvd is our new favorite park! You all did a wonderful job. It feels like a magical place!"

Justin Weidl

Evanston Resident

"Apache Park is great and getting a lot of use. The residents have been very happy with the park and it looks better every season as the trees begin to mature, along with the rest of the plant material."

Paul Cathey

Des Plaines Park District Superintendent

NEWS

FRESH OFF THE PRESS

2023 Year In Review

Happy New Year from Team Teska As we reflect on the past year, we are grateful for all the incredible people and ingredients that make…

HIGH FIVE INCOMING

The right people make all the difference. Our team of innovative planners, placemakers and landscape architects come fully charged with the skills and ethos to deliver winning solutions. We love what we do and apply that passion daily to create equitable, thriving, and engaging places and communities.

CLEAR COMMUNICATORS

ENGAGING PROFESSIONALS

CREATIVE COLLABORATORS

Building Community
Creating Place

From community planning and engagement to urban design and landscape architecture, Teska develops winning solutions to ensure people and places thrive.

BUZZ

"Our community loves the new streetscape- the project has led to increased pride and vibrancy in our downtown and has helped differentiate Wilmette as an outstanding place to spend time with friends and family. The collaborative planning approach between residents, consultants and Village Staff has created something special and is spurring further ideas as to how we can support placemaking and community-building in our Village."

Mike Braiman
Village Manager at Wilmette, Illinois

“I really enjoyed being a part of Elevate Devon and learned a lot from the experience and how corridor planning works. Teska always made me feel comfortable and that my voice was heard! I was able to connect with students and faculty to discuss their concerns/hopes and was excited to see so much of what we heard in the final plan.”

Mia Roman, Loyola University Chicago
Student Ambassador for the Elevate Devon Corridor Plan

"I can not say enough about Teska Associates! Over the past year we worked closely to renew our SSA. Teska was organized, affordable, knowledgeable, easily accessible for meetings, emails, calls, and so friendly. The website they created for us was beautiful, and I felt like they loved my neighborhood as much as I do. I would recommend Teska to anyone! Thank you Teska for all your hard work and dedication to your clients."

Mary Gill
Program Director, SSA #55 Mount Greenwood Community and Business Association

"We greatly appreciated Teska Associates' attention to detail and thoughtfulness as we collaborated on a final version of Evanston's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Teska's combination of graphic design skills and urban planning knowledge proved to be an ideal fit for our project."

Robinson Markus
Vice President, Evanston Development Cooperative

“The Teska Team were a joy to work with. They were creative and diligent about engaging meaningfully with our residents and incorporating that community feedback into a plan that reflected our Town’s preferences and values.”

Dustin Anderson
Town Manager at Munster, Indiana

"We’re so grateful to have Teska in our corner -- their positive impact in our community continues to flourish!"

Anthony Auston
Wilmette Public Library Director

"The strategic planning process from beginning to end was a pleasure and we are thrilled with the final products! Thanks for everything!"

Beth McAndrews
Village Administrator, Village of Deer Park

"I would like to thank you all for an outstanding job with the completion and approval of the 2021 Comprehensive Plan. Your efforts and diligence made it possible to complete this plan with a very tight timeline. The Village of Matteson has a lot of momentum and this plan will ensure we stay on track as we grow."

Anthony Burton
Village Administrator, Village of Matteson
Rudy Flores
Executive Director, Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce
Laura Carstens
Former Planning Services Manager, City of Dubuque

“Downtown is beautiful, magical, festive, and fun!”

Wilmette Resident
In a Letter to Staff regarding the Downtown Streetscape

"Planning the future with citizen input is critical for the well-being of our community. Teska Associates, Inc. did an excellent job engaging our residents through a dynamic and inclusive process. The residents and I are very pleased with the results."

Jim Holland
Former Mayor, Village of Frankfort

"I want to extend my sincere thanks for helping us through the Zoning Ordinance Update and process. You all really went above and beyond answering our questions, responding to our changes, and keeping our eye on the prize to the finish line. It truly has been a great experience…despite all the challenges that 2020 threw our way!"

Jo Ellen Charlton
Public Works Director, City of Rolling Meadows
Valerie Kretchmer
Kretchmer Associates - Real Estate + Urban Planning

"I would strongly recommend Teska. While we learned more about community development practices and techniques, this consultancy went beyond that by helping us better understand the community in which we are building - engaging in meaningful conversations with community leaders. One of the outcomes was a community development strategy that has specific, actionable items we can tackle this coming year."

Windy City Habitat for Humanity

“Downtown Evanston first engaged with Teska on a re-design of our map and directory. We have also been fortunate to work closely with the City of Evanston who hired Teska on a major capital infrastructure project for the center of our district; Evanston’s Fountain Square. Teska has been tremendous, their attention to detail and straightforward approach has been so valuable to the overall success of this project.”

Annie Coakley
Former Executive Director, Downtown Evanston

"Thank you for making the new bike lanes in Downtown Kankakee, possible. They are well-designed, well-designated and make me feel safe sharing the road even during rush-hour traffic. Thank you for this important resource that makes a daily difference on my commute, health, and environmental impact. Please continue to support initiatives that encourage biking in Kankakee!"

Letter to the Mayor of Kankakee
From Resident
Martin Scott
Director of Community Development, Village of Western Springs
Michael Toth
Community and Economic Development Director, North Aurora

"By the way… Garden Park in Evanston along the lake just north of South Blvd is our new favorite park! You all did a wonderful job. It feels like a magical place!"

Justin Weidl
Evanston Resident

"Apache Park is great and getting a lot of use. The residents have been very happy with the park and it looks better every season as the trees begin to mature, along with the rest of the plant material."

Paul Cathey
Des Plaines Park District Superintendent

HIGH FIVE INCOMING

The right people make all the difference. Teska’s team of innovative planners, placemakers and landscape architects love what they do and apply that passion daily to create equitable, thriving, and engaging places and communities.

TESKA · Building Community, Creating Place
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