Downtown Algonquin Planning Study Seeks Input from Residents, Business Owners

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.