Community-Driven, Action-Oriented: Open Houses Kick-Off Community Outreach Stage for DuPage Route 83 Corridor Plan
On May 16th (at the Elmhurst City Hall) and again on May 23rd (at the Bensenville Village Hall) community members from Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Wood Dale, and unincorporated DuPage County came to learn more about the Route 83 Corridor Plan, and share their ideas and vision for the future of the study area. A collection of maps, posters, and a letter writing station awaited them, providing a variety of opportunities to submit observations and share concerns. Attendees marked up maps with stickers highlighting opportunity sites and left comments about needed improvements within the study area: Route 83 between Devon Avenue and St. Charles Road, extending a mile either side.
In total, about 100 people participated in one or both of the open house events. The project, conducted for DuPage County through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance program, has so far focused primarily on data gathering and analysis, culminating in an Existing Conditions Report. While residents and other stakeholders have been able to learn about the plan and engage in the process via the project website, including opting to receive e-mail updates and leave comments, these community workshops were the first in-person events. Since the project website went live, more than fifty comments have been received from residents throughout the study area. There has been and will continue to be involved with each community around the project to build dialogue, share knowledge and ensure the planning team is hearing from and incorporating feedback from residents, stakeholders, local staffs and elected officials.
“The purpose of the Route 83 Corridor Plan is to create a community-driven, action-oriented master plan that cohesively addresses issues and opportunities as they relate to land use and transportation along Route 83 (Busse Road) in Dupage County.” – DuPage Route 83 Corridor Plan Project Website
“A Future Land Use Vision”
The plan is, at its core, an update to the DuPage County Land Use Plan, last updated in 1997. The Corridor Plan will provide a future land use vision for unincorporated areas and will do so in a way that reflects the needs and goals of property owners and adjacent communities. The plan will incorporate and build upon existing community initiatives while addressing future goals, site-specific needs and CMAP’s On To 2050 Comprehensive Regional Plan. A set of draft Shared Goals and Objectives for the County and corridor communities have been developed to guide the planning and includes aims related to the residential quality of life, economic development, coordination between government agencies and travel safely by car, bike and on foot. The community workshops, website comments, and other stakeholder feedback have revealed that land use and transportation issues certainly are of concern to the local communities, and many have shared their support for the County creating a plan for the corridor (similar plans have already been created for the Roosevelt Road and Lake Street corridors).
“Residents have expressed concerns about a number of issues, including traffic congestion and intersection safety. Some said pedestrians feel unsafe crossing the busy road.” – Excerpt, Daily Herald Article | June 4th, 2019
Route 83 has become an increasingly important roadway, connecting communities, regional transportation routes, employees to employment centers, and businesses to customers. Up to 60,000 vehicles per day (up to 11,000 of the trucks) travel on it each day, due in large part to its proximity and accessibility to O’Hare Airport and other industry in the area. While Route 83 is unmistakably a key asset for business and industry, the corridor is also home to many families and long-time residents. Route 83 creates challenges to pedestrian mobility and traffic congestion and safety issues, but it also provides unparalleled opportunities for both the County and the adjacent communities. The Corridor Plan aims to build on Route 83 as a regional asset and create a vision for improved quality of life.
“As part of the overall plan, officials will examine the potential for development. County officials have said they believe the corridor has potential because of Route 390 (formerly the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway) and future western access to O’Hare International Airport.” – Excerpt, Daily Herald Article | June 4th, 2019
For more details about the plan, visit www.PlanRoute83.org.
Source(s): DuPage Route 83 Corridor Plan Project Website & Daily Herald Article | June 4th, 2019