Downtown Algonquin Planning Study Seeks Input from Residents, Business Owners
The $90,000 study will be a blend between long-term and short-term solutions for improving the downtown.
Residents will have the chance to provide their input for what downtown improvements they'd like to see implemented once the Western Bypass is completed.
Earlier this month, Algonquin announced that it had hired a consultant to prepare a strategic action plan for enhancing downtown Algonquin as a walkable, mixed-used business district. Ronald Lanz, of Land Vision out of St. Charles and Chicago, will serve as the lead consultant.
"It's a unique opportunity to reposition and recreate the place that is downtown Algonquin," Lanz said at the Jan. 24 committee of the whole meeting.
The study is funded by a $90,000 federal grant Algonquin received from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Lanz said the study will be a nice blend between long-term and short-term solutions for improving the downtown.
The Algonquin Downtown Planning Study will hold two public planning workshops later this spring at dates to be announced. Residents, business owners and commuters are encouraged to use the project website once it's created to leave comments and participate in a survey. There will even be a smartphone app where people will be able to log into the site and provide real-time comments.
Over the next several weeks, the Land Vision consultant team will be performing an analysis of existing conditions, which will include outreach and interviews with downtown stakeholders as well as a real estate market assessment. The planning process will conclude with a final study report that will outline a series of downtown improvement priorities with the intent of maintaining and enhancing downtown Algonquin as a vibrant business district.
For more information or questions about the study, contact Ben Mason, village planner at 847-658-4184.
D.R.
8:52 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I hope you have another article once the web site is created. I have some thoughts.
Savannah Ziegelbauer
10:20 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Algonquin Patch will be sure to share that information with you, Dori. At last night's village board meeting, they said within the next few weeks the survey would be up and running.
dan
1:42 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
who cares about this stuff? don't you have a best french fries or best hot cocoa in mchenry county story to do? what about best spa? best hair stylist? best front porch? you guys are slacking.
Savannah Ziegelbauer
4:42 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
We do! This week our Chowdown Showdown contest is paczkis. Please be sure to cast your vote, Dan. http://algonquin.patch.com/articles/poll-chowdown-showdown-paczki-challenge
scott
5:09 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
downtown algonquin is in a word Boring. look at St. charles Geneva and Woodstock. even Crystal lake has so much more to offer. Oh and the old village hall that they spent so much money to refurbish, absolute joke.How many people go in there a year? 12? pathetic waste of land.
David
7:28 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
As long as that eyesore called Tyvek Towers, or Riverside Square stands on the corner of Rt 31 and Rt 62 (Algonquin Rd), there will be no future for "Downtown Algonquin".
How the hell did this eyesore ever get approved by the zoning board??
Soonwinner
11:52 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
if the politicians had any guts they would have extended Rt 25 to flow into Klasen Road by building a new bridge. There are 12 or 20 property owners that oppose the bridge and the politicians do not have the guts to make a decision that would benefit 100,000's drivers. As for Tyvek Towers the village politicians approved the plan maybe while on crack or maybe some nefarious business took place. Either way downtown Algonquin will require excellent parking and expensive historical brick laden redevelopment before it is a successful venue.