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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 Riverfront Steering Committee • 111WASION ASSOCIATES ELGIN RIVERFRONT/CENTER CITY MASTER PLAN Steering Committee Meetings and Community Forums Phase I: Elgin Comprehensive CBD and Fox River Master Plan Meeting No. 1 Kick-off Meeting Monday, October 4, 1999 1:00pm to 3:00pm Meeting No. 2 Riverfront Bus Tour To be scheduled Meeting No. 3 Two-Day Planning Meeting Wednesday, November 10, Thursday, November 11, 1999 Community Forum Wednesday PM, November 10, 1999, 6:30pm to 9:00pm Steering Committee Meeting Thursday, November 11, 1999, 3:00pm to 5:00pm Meeting No. 4 Opportunity Analysis Thursday, December 9, 1999, 3:00pm to 5:00pm Meeting No. 5 Community Forum Monday, January 10, 2000, 6:30pm to 9:00pm Meeting No. 6 Preliminary Master Plan Thursday, January 20, 2000, 3:00pm to 5:00pm Meeting No. 7 Community Forum Saturday, February 12, 2000, 9:00am to 12:00pm Meeting No. 8 Implementation Strategy Monday, March 6, 2000, 3:00pm to 5:00pm Meeting No. 9 Public Presentation Wednesday, April 12, 2000, 6:00pm to 7:00pm (City Council) Phase II: Schematic Development- Riverfront "Pilot Project" Meeting No, 10 Schematic Options Wednesday,April 12, 2000 3:00pm to 5:00pm Meeting No. 11 Design Guidelines Thursday, May 11, 2000 3:00pm to 5:00pm Meeting No. 12 Options Analysis and Recommendations Thursday, June 8, 2000 3:00pm to 5:00pm Meeting No. 13 Community Forum Thursday, June 22, 2000 6:30pm to 9:00pm Meeting No. 14 Pre-Application Meeting To be scheduled This schedule will be reviewed at each Steering Committee meeting. Changes to this schedule may be made by agreement of the Steering Committee. c:/DGN/ProJects/1566/MQating Schedule • Z0 'd OSLLSS3909-QI NOSU3QNV 2i3SI321H39 91 :9i 00-LT- TO Minutes Riverfront Steering Committee December 9, 1999 3 : 00 p.m. Members Present: Ed Schock, Chairman John Duerr Allen Anderson John McKevitt Joan Berna Joyce Parker Steven Byers John Steffen Jack Cook Julio Cesar Valdez Ina Dews Stuart Wasilowski Pete Dominguez Staff Members Present: Mark Biernacki Ray Moller Guests: Lee Gaul Representatives of Hitchcock Design Group Representatives of Schreiber/Anderson Associates Press Staff I . Call to Order Mayor Schock welcomed all present . II. Approval of Minutes The Minutes from the previous meetings of October 4 , November and November 1l were approved. III. Introductions Mayor Schock welcomed Mr. John Duerr, a representative of the Kane County Forest Preserve to the Steering Committee , and Committee members introduced themselves . IV. Discussion of Opportunity Analysis Mr. Scott Chesney started by reviewing what the Consultants have processed so far. They looked at the big picture of what the role of Elgin is to the Riverfront , and then narrowed the overall view down to smaller sections . They looked at the corridors leading into Elgin, suggesting that most entries are nice, but cluttered (too many trees, signs, ect, ) that are blocking the views of the city. Steering Committee Minutes December 9 , 1999 2 There is a good start to upgrading the entry ways with the reconstruction of Kimball Street and Route 31 . Randall Road is one of the newer corridors with a lot of potential . If we are going to make our entryways beautiful we need to enhance the overall look, not just clean them up . Some improvements that were mentioned could be better lighting, landscape, signage, pedestrian flow and traffic calming . Within the Downtown itself , the various districts have not changed much since the last study that was done in 1991 . There is a strong need to bring people Downtown, and not just travel through the city. We want people to stay in the Downtown area, but we need to provide the necessary facilities to make the area attractive, friendly, and easy to get to, and give people something to do, once they get here . With getting around the City and parking there is a lot of ideas and changes that could be made . With the roadways there needs to be a consistent friendly pattern and signals timed so the flow of traffic keeps moving, signs that are easier to understand and safety for pedestrians as well . The bike path is a very important asset to the City, in that it links the neighborhoods to the Riverfront . The bike path also creates a North-South link thru the City to connect up with other cities around Elgin. Constructing paths along the westside of the river so people can safely cross the river was also suggested. Neil O ' Riley, Water Resources Planner with Hey & Associates updated the committee on the environmental issues that were identified. There are a few sights that will have to be changed • or cleaned up because of some type of contamination. Not many wetlands exist which is good news for development . Soil erosion • has also been studied to determine stabilization options . Mr. Hitchcock summed up the presentation by expressing that the Riverfront is the City' s biggest asset and that we should use it to our advantage to attract people to our city. We should make the Riverfront friendly, attractive and a lasting impression on visitors . V. Continued Discussion of Public Involvement Questions were raised concerning what has been done to keep the public informed after the first forum. Ray Moller explained that a copy of the city' s newsletter the Spirit was being mailed to every household in Elgin. In the newsletter was a brief questionnaire that addressed the same issues that were presented at the public forum, and asking for their input . The newsletter el" is in English and Spanish, and is postage paid for the public ' s convenience . Steering Committee Minutes December 9 , 1999 3 Also addressed was the concern that information should be announced well in advance for the next community forum so that the public will have plenty of time to plan to attend . A thank you packet should also be mailed out to the people that attended the first public forum to keep them informed of the progress and decisions that are being made about the Riverfront . In addition, some suggestions were to publish more information on the Web page, have a display at the Gail Borden Library to chart the progress of the Riverfront , ask the local churches to post information in their bulletins , and also have any Steering Committee members organizations post information on their newsletters . VI . Adjournment The Mayor has asked that all Steering Committee members meet at 5 : 00 p .m. on January 10", right before the next public forum to gather information about what will be presented. Dinner will be provided. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4 : 45 p .m. The next Steering Committee meeting will be January 20th, 2000 . Respectfully submitted, ti Sharon Pepke Recording Secretary Approved: January 10 , 2000 r `�OF Ft.c. Ggyp, w,y,, 7. City of Elgin _i_ , Mayor �' .villi Ed Schock Council Members Juan Figueroa Robert Gilliam Ruth Munson John Walters Stuart Wasilowski Marie Yearman December 3, 1999 City Manager Joyce A. Parker To: Riverfront/Center City Master Plan Steering Committee From: Ray Moller, Director of Economic Development and Business Services Subject : Steering Committee Meeting Attached please find the following information related to upcoming Steering Committee meetings : 1 . Steering Committee agenda for 12-09-99 . 2 . Community Forum No. 1 Comments & Small Group Priorities . Please not the change in the location of the Steering Committee meeting from Hemmens Cultural Center to the Parks & Recreation office. Call me at 847-931-6749 if you have any questions regarding this matter. Sincerely, 6.---e....../ ,OK44.0/7v.Ze.17 Raymond H. Moller Director of Economic Development and Business Services slp Attachments 150 Dexter Court • Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 • TDD 847/931-5616 ® Printed on recycled paper ELGIN RIVERRONT/CENTER CITY MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY FORUM NO. 1 OCTOBER 10, 1999 SMALL GROUP PRIORITIES The following represents a summary of priorities for the Elgin Riverfront/Center City Master Plan identified by the participants at Community Forum No. 1 held on October 10, 1999. A group of approximately 75 participants were asked to form into small groups of approximately 8 people per group. The small groups were asked to consider the following question: "What would you like to see the Elgin riverfront and downtown look like twenty years from now?" What improvements or changes should be made to accomplish this?" Each person in the small groups was asked to answer this question and record their responses in four categories: Riverfront Land Use and Activities Transportation and Parking Aesthetics After individual responses were posted, members of the small groups worked together to prioritize those ideas that they felt were most important to them in each category. The following summarizes the priorities set by each small group. Also included in the summary is a listing of all other ideas posted by individuals in each small group. (1) GROUP 1 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Park benches along a walkway to stop and smell the flowers 2. Riverbanks planted and clean 3. Good restaurants 4. Outdoor library reading area Land Use and Activities 1. Remove railroad track to point farther west — public works building and Elgin salvage 2. The library and Hemmens as an anchor in the same area 3. Non-power boat activities (canoes, paddleboats, fishing, marina) • 4. Outdoor concerts/art shows Transportation and Parking 1. More parking where needed 2. More bike and other non-polluting modes encouraged Aesthetics 1. More trees 2. More 'old time' lighting 3. Have landscape architect plan the riverfront 4. Public restrooms kept clean miraculously (2) _ _ _ GROUP 1 - OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • Riverbanks planted and cleaned • Walkway down river with accessibility to downtown attractions • Park benches along a walkway to stop and smell the flowers • Winter space for cross country skiing, snow shoe rental, etc; cocoa available, warming house • What type of construction is going to be used on the riverbanks? When is the riverbank work going to begin? • Small service oriented businesses — small concession stand • Small area of weekend kiosks along the river • Good restaurants • Canoe launch Trout Park • Star watching area i.e. Walton Is, with ability to turn off nearby lights for 5 min stretches • Outdoor cafe/coffee shop • First class portage Kimball Street • Warm weather library outdoor reading area • Lighting Walton Island, flag Walton Island Land Use and Activities • Limit power boat use • Paddle boats • Sculling team, parks and rec. • Boating available on river, access to both sides of dam • Marina • Canoeing • Fishing • Remove railroad tracks to point farther west; Public works building; Elgin Salvage • Riverfront— no land taken forcibly: use right of first refusal • Keep industry off riverfront • Ice Skating rink • Minimize dirty factories • Public indoor pool • Encourage shopping, shopping area • More specialty shops and restaurants • Stabilize natural habitat • Connection from Grand Victoria to Central Park — walkway over river • Eliminate East Side, West side — bring together (3) • The library as an anchor, new library and Hemmens art center in same area • Fish cleaning station • Band shell • Bike path • Nice restaurant on river in a park like setting (perhaps like trails and treasures that used to be in Trout Park) • Outdoor summer concerts • More festivals: art, music, crafts • Work with positives — Elgin fest, fine arts festival, Fox trot • Musical Activity • Weekend Art shows • ECC or Judson etc — presentations on Walton Island Transportation and Parking • More parking where it's needed • Bike public transportation from historic neighborhoods • Bike path connections • Place a second level possibly a third level on the parking lot on the corner of Chicago and Grove • Pedestrian path abandoned railroad r.o.w. • Parking for bikes, other non-polluting transportation • Wagons available to pull children around Aesthetics • Plenty of trees, more trees • Clean the west side of the river and plant grass — a quick fix • Have landscape architect plant the riverfront • Public restrooms miraculously kept clean and safe • More restoration, improvement of deteriorating buildings • Design ideas, Petosky Michigan park (along Lake Superior) • Good lighting • Old time lighting along a nice walkway (4) GROUP 2 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Riverwalk 2. Tie • Museums/Art galleries • Restrooms/good security • Pedestrian spaces • Below grade riverfront walkways with periodic access from above Land Use and Activities 1. Festival Park between Riverboat and downtown (Pioneer memorial park) 2. Shopping and Restaurants 3. Campus like blend of natural settings, green space and commerce Transportation and Parking 1. Pedestrian space 2. Complete bikeway system 3. Parking — do it smart i.e. good use of space Aesthetics 1. Restore buildings 2. Landscaping — Bikepath and throughout downtown (5) GROUP 2 - OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • Families enjoying the riverfront together • Recreation along the riverfront • Gondola boats in seasonal weather, strolling musicians, food carts and popcorn, empty wastebaskets • Museums and art galleries • Public access to river on east side • Boat launch along river— space between Cassino and Crocker Theater • Green belt along tracks on West side (they took out all the trees) • Riverfront shopping like Naperville • Riverwalk — brick walks, curving paths • Shortline Bus trips downtown, wheel chairs for events, small bands or puppets • Bridge under Kimball Street • Rest rooms with attendants, good security, travelers aid booth • Pedestrian spaces — "come walk along my banks" Land Use and Activities • Festival park at Green space south of Prairie; special attraction in green space by Pioneer Memorial Park • Concentrated effort to get specialty shops and restaurants along Grove Avenue; shopping (national retailers and specialty shops); Better shopping, book store • Campus like blend of the natural settings, green space and commerce • More State Street structures (east and west) between Highland and Chicago • Restaurants/Social Activity in DT around river • Mix of residential and non-residential "sense of community — I'm home" • Below grade riverfront walkways on both sides punctuated with periodic access from above • Shops, coffee, chocolate • People on the street • Events — parades, gatherings, street fair • More bicyclists • Pocket parks (perhaps next to an ice cream shop — have a seat) • Ice skating on river or rink • More people living on 2'd or 3rd floors • More restaurants • Outdoor areas - eating, gathering spots • Downtown Orlando with their Church Street Station (6) • Crocker Theater— convert to country and western dance hall (large floor, 2 levels of tables, line dancing, square dancing etc) • Nashville downtown with shops and entertainment • Pioneer statue — Elgin's own sculpture • Terraced banks in some areas • New library • Demo bus garage • Putt-putt golf • No salvage yard • Relationships — workers downtown, eating downtown and shopping downtown • More entertainment • Ice cream stores Transportation and Parking • More people walking • Pedestrian scale — "welcome" — park your car, get out, walk my streets • More parking by Hemmens • More parking but not lots — decks • Busses on Grove Avenue to stimulate movement and activity • Metra lines invisible • Complete bike way system through town • Connect Grand Victoria to downtown with a free shuttle Aesthetics • 24 hr activity downtown • Matching street lights • Uniformity, lamps, trash receptacles, signage • All buildings restored; restoration —we have lost too much already • Brick paver walks • Unified store fronts • Sculpture, public art • Birdwatching,natural areas integrated • Lush, mature, green vegetation • Well manicured landscaped areas throughout • Better landscaping along bikepath • Beautify the John's Meat Market walk through • Cavity — Beautify— park benches, wrought iron fences • City square fountain, seating • Lights on Walton Island • Signage telling us where to go (7) GROUP 3 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Riverfront restaurant (floating) 2. More green spaces/grass/flowers 3. Canoes! Access, ramps etc Land Use and Activities 1. Restaurants (ethnic, ice cream) 2. Use parks for festivals and special events 3. Ice rink downtown 3b. Bookstore downtown Transportation and Parking 1. Emphasize bikes and bike trails — access, shops, signs, racks 2. More parking — mixed use, multi-level 3. Get rid of riverside deck 3b. Have trolley downtown • Aesthetics 1. Improve lighting • Finish historic lighting • Light up tower building • Improve safety 2. Trees, trees, trees • Natural areas 3. Public art/sculpture • Model of downtown (8) GROUP 3 — OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • Build new library on the WR Meadows property • Build the dam overlook envisioned in EDAW plan • Riverfront overlook — gazebo • Gondola type boats on river • Preserve Walton Island as natural as possible • Landscape along river, bushes and flowers (garden clubs) and benches • More grassy areas along river bank • Riverfront - make it like a park area • Restaurant on river • Floating family restaurant • Like to have an outdoor eating place along the river— have night-time action such as dancing, music etc • Remove the Riverside parking lot so that pedestrians have access to the river • Canoe launch; put in public boat launch north of Riverboat on Grove Ave. with parking for boat trailers and cars; boat launch areas; by-pass for canoes at the Kimball St. dam; Canoe area around dam • Small train station like museum of the evolution of Elgin and its riverfront - somewhere along downtown bike path • A place for children to go during the summer such as a game room etc. Land Use and Activities • Develop west bank along river north of Kimball so it can be utilized better • Bookstore with view of river; encourage a bookstore downtown • Children's playground with slides and swings on small portion of river Trout • Ice skating rink area; downtown • Recreation center for all the family • Cash station along bike path downtown • Have a coffee shop with internet access • Establish a historic district for downtown • Hands on children's' museum (9) • Ice cream; ice cream shop on river with tables outside; recruit more restaurants that serve during dinner hours; like to see the Crocker to show movies and or have a dinner club; ethnic food court • Amphitheater with children/teen focus • Fishing areas • Arboretum —like center, science, identify local habitat, butterfly garden • Park for festivals; plays in an outdoor place like the park; develop festival park to include volleyball pits, a children's play area, BBQ area; festival Park with food stands; Have more festivals so all people can enjoy; children's open air art center Transportation and Parking • Improve bike path so that crossing major streets (National) isn't as difficult • Bicycle shop/rollerblade rental • Have bike racks on every other corner • Need more signs to designate and highlight the bike path • Provide more amenities (coffee shop, sandwich store) adjacent to Metra station • Get along will with metra — no dispute as happened in years past • Get rid of Riverside parking deck • Make more multi-level parking to use space better • Get more parking in central downtown • Add mix use parking • Trolley type bus to get from one end to other Aesthetics • Lighting under the bridge • Finish lighting project; ensure consistent historic street lighting and design improvements; light up the Tower building like the Tribune tower on Michigan Ave; improve downtown safety at night • Area immediately adjacent to river to be passive park-like atmosphere, using walkways along river and bike paths • Large parks, beautiful homes (old) Elgin in general, all our churches • Encourage ethnic restaurants • Park benches along river bike/walk path • Have all buildings along Riverside Drive spruced up • Multi-cultural focus sculpture (10) • Have public sculpture contest like Chicago • Add public art • Trees, trees and more trees along riverfront • Planting of native grasses along river bank when possible; restoring to a natural environment when possible • Keep river front open and natural and do not attempt to create a theme park atmosphere • Landscape old train right of way • Windows decorated in good taste • Model of city identifying arch/hist landmarks (11) GROUP 4 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Trees, green space, flowers, pedestrian walkways, bikepaths, stabilize riverbanks, picnic areas 2. Watersports: boatramp, marina, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, skating, play areas 3. Riverfront lighthouse, restaurants, hotel Land Use and Activities 1. Entertainment center with cultural activities • Outdoor music • Gatherings • Amphitheater 2. Restaurants, coffeehouses, bookstores, specialty shops, cafés Transportation and Parking 1. Remove riverside parking deck, build new accessible parking deck , other accessible parking areas — all aesthetically pleasing 2. Trolley, bus transport, sightseeing tours 3. Free bikes, places to park bikes Aesthetics 1. Restoration of downtown buildings 2. Lighting along pathways, more trashcans 3. Train and bus station to be proud of 4. Remove industry from riverfront (12) GROUP 4 — OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • Trees/green space with pedestrian circulation • Bike paths, flowers, benches, art work • Separate but adjacent picnic areas and swimming areas • Water sports complex with rental, boat ramps, marina, fishing, kayaking, etc. • Exercise trail/with events • Lighthouse • Riverboat • Hotel/restaurant complex • Riverfront restaurants • Outdoor restaurant facing river • Access to bike path from N.E. neighborhood • Plant trees and flowers along river • Have festivals in park along river • Houses left on the riverfront • Bike trail to go over or under Kimball St. • Walkways, flowers, lighting • Maintain historic brick street at Spring at the bike path Land Use and Activities • Amphitheater • Outdoor music • Entertainment office center with cultural activities • A place for community gatherings and activities (outdoors) • Riverfront restaurant • Coffee house • Bookstores, cafes, restaurants • Gift shop, ice cream shop on bike trail, hot dog stands • 4th of July carnival and fire works on the river • Triathalon • The whole river used for public use • Fix boat launches for fire dept to get in river • Library • Shops and recreation areas (13) Transportation and Parking • Parking decks, not seas of asphalt • Easy access parking structure but blends in and is central • Downtown that's easy to park in, bike and pedestrian friendly, benches and gathering areas • Free parking • Remove the deck and build more parking decks • Trolley bus transport • Walkways and carriages to go on sight seeing tours. Incorporate the Bike path in with it • Free bikes — bright yellow ones • Places to park your bike • Advertise boat launch • Build a bridge from Big Timber to Slade Ave. Aesthetics • Restore downtown stores and buildings • Shops, restaurants, theaters, museums • Lighting along river pathways • More garbage cans • Train and bus station to be proud of • Remove industry from riverfront • More good trees everywhere • Leave trees by the river • Condemn and remove rail yards • Pedestrian bridges • Parks and trees and perhaps shops along the river • Clean up the forest preserve • Tear down old ugly buildings on state street, build a strip mall (14) GROUP 5 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Landscaping 2. Snack shops ( ice cream) 3. Water activity (paddle boats, lasershows) Land Use and Activities 1. River front café 2. Expand library (Meadow and Gail Borden) 3. Attract businesses (tax benefits, antique stores) Transportation and Parking 1. Trolley and shuttlebus for tourists 2. Boating and canoeing 3. No parking lots on the river Aesthetics 1. Label landmarks 2. Artwork (local artists) 3. Restore Crocker (15) GROUP 5 — OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • No industrial uses by river • Watch Tower buildings restored i.e. train depot as info center • Landscaping and nature • Specialty shops along river • Nice to walk along with ice cream or popcorn, flowers and things to watch, boating • Use of cement sitting tables — checkers, chess • Waterway activities • Stairs made into seats to sit on • Large deck over river • Shops under deck for food • Laser show • Ice skating park by Boat Land Use and Activities • Encourage historical/architectural use of land and space • Residential development lofts • Make more parks • Expand library to WR meadows • Expand existing library — (Borden Land), walkway over grove • Riverfront cafes • Bus/train aesthetic/arch consistent with history • Children's activities/playground • Business for all races, ethnic diversity • Play parks, rentals, skates, bikes, boats • Super bookstore • Kiosks throughout—weekends • Major hotel • Increase business use of commercial business (attracting small business) • Music on the river • Establish area by riverfront for festivals and concerts Transportation and Parking • Boating on river • Trolley to get around • Parking going up — instead of using so much land • No parking lots along river • Parking aesthetics, not just cement (16) • Shuttle busses to tour landmarks Aesthetics • The Crocker theater restored • More lights • Establish links from neighborhoods to the river • Walkways/bike path — add plants, art • Move post office • Assign unused lands to parks i.e. Triangle State St., Randall Cross • Involve nickname "River City" — Urbs Fluminus • Do something with the buildings between Highland and Chicago street on the west side of the river (eastside of State Street) • Fill empty buildings • Art work, local artist i.e. pioneer memorial • Restore existing parks, Central Park, Robenson • Series of places to visit— riverboat, unique eatery, art museum, planetarium..., to spend weekend • Self guided walking tours • Create effective signs to publicize progress • Rock wall west side along tracks • Art center at GBPL site • Billboard signage continuity • Label landmarks • Create cleaner downtown, more clean riverfront (17) GROUP 6 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Paddleboat/canoe rental/ice skate 2. Festivals/Outdoor stage 3. Walkways/bricks Land Use and Activities 1. Bookstores 2. Bandshells, outdoor music, gathering place 3. Places to eat/shops/restaurants/rentals Transportation and Parking 1. Eliminate one way streets 2. Safe, friendly, convenient parking 3. Maintain sidewalks, bridges; keep plowed and shoveled Aesthetics 1. Botanical garden/native plants/greening of area 2. Open space/walkways 3. Public art/sculptures/fountains (18) GROUP 6 — OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • Open air bar and brasserie • Festivals — like Long Grove does, special event area: outdoor stage theater; performing arts theater; special events and festivals • Boat docks; boating, sailing, docks and fishing areas • Clear area of commercial structures along river • Walkways/bricks —fundraiser, not only names or maybe not at all; walkway along river • Cross country ski on bike path • Paddleboat rental, canoes, ice skate area in town • Water activities, sculling regatta, paddling and swans Land Use and Activities • Ice skating • Shops and restaurants • Small shops • Outdoor café • Places to eat, hang out, music • Downtown vendors • Hot dog kiosks on Walton Island • Retail shops —florist, bakery, gifts, rent bikes, rollerblades • Bike paths • Breakfast restaurant (not just lunch and dinner) • Breakfast diner • Retail — bookstore and restaurant • Restaurants accessible to bike path and bike friendly • Bookstores —with coffee, central perk idea • Loft residences • White hen pantry • Downtown reuse of historic buildings, residences • Area for outdoor activities • More "brown bag" ravinia ideas, "wing park" concerts, plays; open band shell with supporting buildings; art show, band shell • Daytime lectures/talks • Create bike lanes that feed into downtown and connect with bike trail • Bike racks, piped in music with speakers outside (19) Transportation and Parking • Eliminate one-way through streets • Make more one-way streets • Coordinate traffic lights downtown • Walton Island lunch place, canteen, use the island for summer concert series • Trolley linking Hemmens and library with other parts of downtown • Light rail circulating to parking • Sidewalks and shovel the bridge • Remove U-turn post office chaos • No parking on river • Well lighted parking areas • More on street parking and less sprawling lots • Adequate parking adjacent to high use areas • Safe night time parking • Parking that is friendly for downtown loft residences Aesthetics • Botanical garden; native plants; plantings and natural use of pathways • Widen sidewalks, add amenities like trees • Green space • Maintain idea of 150' setback along river • Create green walkways that connect areas of downtown • Walkways with benches along the way • Art work — 5% of budget for riverfront projects, get benefit from river therefore give something back i.e. Portland OR • Create development projects within the total plan that can be adopted and executed by the various neighborhoods and civic groups • Public art and gardens • Large sculptures and artwork • Sculpture walks and fountains • Fountains (water spray such as Chicago River) (20) GROUP 7 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Cafe/restaurants on river 2. Beautiful shoreline/improve access 3. Waterfront activities — canoeing, fishing, paddle boats Land Use Activities 1. More living space downtown 2. Children's activities/play area 3. More downtown businesses "Festival" park Transportation and Parking 1. Minimize visual impact of surface parking 2. Remove bus garage ( redesign) 3. Link pathways —to one another and to downtown Enhance appearance of parking garages Aesthetics 1. Sculpture garden 2. Remove salvage yard 3. Enhancement of older buildings/architectural standards for new construction (21) GROUP 7 — OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • More green along whole river— access to both banks • Beautify river shoreline,,especially with plants • Beautiful vistas, quiet areas • Clean up all riverbanks • Gardens along the river and beautiful buildings and aquatic activities north from Kimball Bridge • Park suspended over the river with full service restaurant, children's play areas, band platform suspended between park and river • Rollerblade area, other teen activities • Old spess deck— outdoor cafe, street performance kiosks for "art" sales • Some formal like San Antonio's Riverwalk, shops and restaurants etc., with water taxis • Create restaurant/ cafes with river view • Canoe rental for river, water park using section of river • Center for water activities — canoeing, fishing, boats • Create fishing opportunities • Create water recreation at Kimball St. Dam e.g."shoot the rapids" like South Bend IN and canoe shoot/portage and canoe rentals • Paddle boats on river • Canoeing and boating opportunities — small boats, not powerboats, jet skis Land Use and Activities • Rest stops with refreshments for bike paths • More businesses downtown, specialty shops • Children's play areas, kiddieland, activities for children like ice skating pond and park • Create more "lofts" and living space in downtown; increased and improved living space in the downtown areas; "lofts" in downtown buildings • Create festival park for public gatherings • Band shell • Walkway improvement by Zeigler Ct. • Gateways between riverfront/center city to adjacent neighborhoods • Night life after concerts at Hemmens (22) Transportation and Parking • Under river tunnel for traffic, not bridge • Connect bike path above Kimball with path below Kimball • Create systems of walkways and bike paths to river and through downtown • Coordinate bike paths and walking paths • Provide more parking for bikes • Minimize the visual impact of parking lots (de-emphasize the vast open lots which creates voids between desirable features) • Tear down "modern" bus garage — replace and move it • Parking deck along Kimball St. • Build parking deck with small businesses on ground level • Redesign parking garages — 'Elgin' look Aesthetics • Building fronts with restoration to "early" Elgin look; restore more historic buildings; greater architectural unity between new construction and historical buildings • Railroad tracks screened and beautified • Remove coachyards — combine rail facilities in one modern, pleasing station with commercial uses • Better litter control • Exploit opportunities for vistas, overviews etc. (includes use of accent lighting, landscaping etc) • Streetscape features (lighting, planters, benches, storefronts etc) that tie the area(s) together • Create pleasant viewscape of river • Sculpture garden all along river • Exploit ethnic diversity with murals, sculpture • Any concrete area with urban gardens (lots — sidewalk) • Remove Comm — Ed facilities • Remove salvage yard (23) GROUP 8 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Green space/open space 2. Canoe chute/Boat launch 3. Riverwalk Land Use and Activities 1. Cultural activities —farmers' market to festivals 2. Entertainment venues — cafés and restaurants 3. Downtown revitalization — restored architecture/downtown housing/shopping/eating Transportation and Parking 1. Parking lots 2. Bike/pedestrian path across river 3. Redesign Bus station Aesthetics 1. Public art 2. City gardens 3. Attractive lighting (24) GROUP 8 — OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • Natural river edge/boulders, native plantings • Plenty of green area along river • River walk • Weave open space throughout river edge • Green areas from Center Street to River • River walk with access • Riverwalks along both sides of river • Boat ramp north and south of dam • Need a boat ramp • Canoe chute • Fishing piers • • Screen water facility • Cleaner water in the river • Relocate train tracks • Easy access to river Land Use and Activities • Community Recreational Center • Pull out Post Office • Entertainment venues • Expanded bike path • Cultural activities —food, entertainment, enrichment • Parks, prairie theme • Do not disturb existing residential areas • Pull out City facility • Riverfront bars/cafes on river • Walking areas, bike paths • Farmers' market • Parks with lighting and tables and benches • Relocate the large industries to other more appropriate areas of town • River front restaurant (accessible by boat, bikepath) with outdoor dining • Separation of pedestrian walks from bike path • Intergenerational activities • Local city tours — like Savannah GA, possibility — partnership between Elgin area Historical Society , the city etc • Restored Architecture • Specialty retail shops • Downtown eating, housing, shopping, parking (25) • Restaurants/fun destinations • More night life in this area —downtown • Parks (fountains, water) theme • Band shell, outdoor concerts • Outdoor café on river • Nice place to have a bench on the river like on All's fest • Festivals utilizing riverwalk areas • Seasonal programs on riverfront • A place where real people live and work and play Transportation and Parking • Redesign bus station • Connect eastside to westside with bike bridge • Parking lots Aesthetics • Public art • Water fountains and canons in river • Interactive fountains • Plenty of lights at night • City gardens —ex. Garden project proposed for Douglas Ave • Night lighting • Flowering trees all along the river • Greenery on the bridges • Park benches • Well landscaped park land • Some "Picasso" along river • Art to bring people downtown • Pioneer family memorial on the riverfront • Outdoor sculptures (26) GROUP 9 - PRIORITIES Riverfront 1. Riverfront parks on both sides of river 2. Pedestrian access along both sides of river Land Use and Activities 1. Retail/commercial activity, food 2. Center city residential Transportation and Parking 1. Decked parking 2. Eliminate one-way streets Aesthetics 1. Public art/sculpture gardens 2. Enhanced landscaping/street furniture 3. Preserve/restore historic building stock (27) GROUP 9 — OTHER IDEAS Riverfront • Marine activity center • Riverfront parks on both sides • A sidewalk along both sides • More recreational facilities on south river bank, east side • Ferry, boats, canoes etc Land Use and Activities • Retail/commercial development • New library where meadows was • Restaurants along river • Upscale condos along river front • Celebration park north of Riverboat • Starbucks • Farmer's Market • More restaurants • No rail yard • Zeigler court specialty shops, outdoor café • Downtown retail mall • Arts center where the library is now • Many condos • Many apartments (upscale) • Overlooks, piers, bandshells, small group gathering spots and possibly one large gathering spot • 2-3 downtown condo projects near or in view of river • Business condos in downtown commercial buildings instead of rentals • Bookstore • Indian restaurant Transportation and Parking • Return to two-way parking • Multi-deck parking garage downtown to eliminate surface level lots. Can be disguised as an office building on 1st floor with small retail shops • Centralized parking (28) Aesthetics • Updated landscaping • Many destinations, park benches, gardens etc • • More park benches • Nice green trash cans — more • More use of natural materials • Large piece sculpture garden between Hemmens and City Hall • Highlight downtown buildings • DuPage court needs a major facelift • Trees/landscaping • Improve west riverfront south of National St • Lipton building — if we can't make it go away, cover outside with vines to soften (29) feedback httpi/www.elgiruiverfrontorg/feedback.html Homepage 7:110 .; Schedule Steering Committee Community Forum 11-10-99 Info Riverfront ELGIN RIVERFRONT/CENTER CITY MASTER PLAN Map COMMUNITY FORUM NO 1. COMMENTS Give Input LIKES: Meeting 1. Charm of old buildings and small town atmosphere, potential Pics Character of old downtown. Community 2. The very presence of the river. Feedback 3. The Library-because I use it, but do no necessarily believe it belongs downtown. 4. Good heart of town. 5. The River front. 6. Good people. 7. Historic buildings. 8. The fact that we have the river. 9. The path for bikes, walking, running etc. Bring those from other areas (towns)thru Elgin. 10. Open green space North of River boat for use of all citizen's as festival area. 11. New location of Library to anchor development North of Kimball. 12. Open vista along new boulevard giving view to Center City. 13. Walton Island. 1 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedbackltml 14. River. 15. Diversity. 16. All of the improvements that are happening in the Center City. 17. The mix of old and new. 18. The interest and involvement of the people in Elgin. 19. Historic, beautiful architecture of downtown. 20. Bike path. 21. New Rec center. 22. Potential & desire to do something about it-integrate Community. 23. Potential for development/restoration. 24. River which can be utilized for many types of use. 25. People interested in improvements for good of city & future Generations. 26. Historical tradition/buildings. 27. Involved citizens. 28. Tremendous potential. 29. The undeveloped river front areas. 30. The ongoing resurrection & renovation of downtown. 31. Bike trails. 32. Many natural/green areas. 33. Well lit in most areas. 34. The potential of land along the Fox. 35. The charm of Grove and Spring Streets. 36. The ability to build new buildings. 2 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorgifeedback.html 37. Historic building stock. 38. Compact. 39. Heart of community/central to population. 40. Compactness-you can walk to everything. 41. Wonderful old buildings. 42. Cultural entertainment. 43. River-main entrance to City. 44. Good start in Civic Center area. 45. Attempts to improve West Bank are being made. 46. A good sense of community input/cooperation between public & private groups. 47. More open space now then 5-10 years ago. 48. A sense of"upcomingness" in the Downtown. 49. Plaza. 50. Lords Park. 51. Area by the Casino. 52. Real city, urban and diverse with history. 53. Public transportation (Metra, Pace, etc). 54. Bike path and recreation opportunities, especially the new family recreation center. 55. A family city. 56. Always clean. 57. Helps people who need them. 58. Corner parks here and there. 59. Restoration of Walton Island. 60. Bike path. 61. Access to river. 3 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elgirtriverfrontorgifeedback.html 62. Historic character, restored buildings. 63. Views of river. 64. Services (post office, city hall, banks, library, small businesses). 65. Good stock of old buildings. 66. Library located downtown. 67. Convenience of what limited retail(services are downtown). 68. Historic buildings (preserve them). 69. Keeping river atmosphere, island included. 70. The way Grand Victoria has tidied up their area. 71. The layout of streets. 72. Hemmens-City Hall. 73. Buildings being refurbished. 74. Diversity of people. 75. Music/art experiences. 76. Historical architecture. 77. The historic building stock. 78. Accessibility to transportation. 79. A few of the old time businesses that have hung in and stayed Downtown (Wilson's, Leath, Keeney's). 80. The proximity of the river to the actual downtown business area. 81. The fact that Grove Street was re-opened to traffic. 82. The improved lighting on the streets downtown and in the parking deck on Chicago & Spring. 83. The improvement being done on some of the buildings downtown. 84. The bike path down town. 4 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://w.vw.elginriverfront.org/feedback.html 85. Hemmens - City Hall campus and activities held on plaza. 86. Walton Island. 87. Al's creamery - center area. 88. Gail Borden Library. 89. Al's Creamery. 90. River front views. 91. Historic architecture. 92. Urban street scape experience. 93. River front/park like corridor. • 94. Civic center/bike trail. 95. Walton Island. 96. River boat. 97. Work done on Kimball Street. 98. New lighting in downtown. 99. The River boat area. 100. Great river that could be show place of Illinois. 101. We have some very nice buildings. 102. River boat. 103. Easy access across town. 104. Many supermarkets. 105. 1 hour parking. 106. River boat. 107. The new parks. 108. Bike path. 109. Like living on the river front. 5 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfront.org/feedback.html 110. Like the water. 111. Like the sunsets. 112. It's historic architecture. 113. Pedestrian friendly layout (not Schaumburg). 114. The river/the train. 115. The renovation of Kimball Street. 116. The restoration of Walton Island. 117. The park where the foundry was. 118. Historic Architecture. 119. Rail Access. 120. Views/natural beauty. 121. Walton Island. 122. Opportunity to weave open space/bike trail through Elgin. 123. Old buildings being renovated. 124. Demographics of Center City to Elgin. 125. Walton Island. 126. The old buildings. 127. The Walton Island. 128. Government Center. 129. The diversity. 130. The old architecture. 131. The tremendous potential. 132. Downtown Library. 133. He-men's Cultural Center 134. Bike path. 6 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.html 135. Historical architecture. 136. The river. 137. Some parks, trees, etc, not all concrete. 138. Fishing. 139. Biking. 140. Walking. 141. Bike path around He-men's. 142. Walton Island. 143. The planters downtown. 144. Diversity. 145. Close to work. 146. The potential. 147. Revitalization of"old" buildings. 148. Walton Island's rededication. 149. The "Boat" area is pleasing. 150. Planters are nice. 151. Activities taking place to encourage public to come down- town. 152. History. 153. Arts & culture. 154. Location. 155. Downtown is unique-sense of place. 156. River. 157. Bike path. 158. Bike path. 159. Old buildings. nf17 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.html 160. Open Grove Avenue. 161. Lots of rehab. 162. Downtown activity. 163. Historic lights. 164. History. 165. Architecture. 166. Small shops. 167. New business developments downtown. 168. Renovation of old buildings-lofts. 169. Wildlife along & in river. 170. Enjoyed feasts & concerts. 171. Wonderful old buildings, great architecture. 172. Old buildings being renovated. 173. Walton Island restoration. 174. River running through. 175. Historic architecture. 176. The river itself. 177. Interaction-City campus/Library/Hemmens Center, Concentration. 178. Stone fronts. 179. Access-trains. 180. Downtown flowers & trees. 181. Use of Spies windows. 182. Decorates lightways. 183. Proximity to variety & diversity. 184. Vitality of downtown community members. 8 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfront.org/feedback.html 185. Green space by Grand Victoria. 186. History/historical buildings. 187. River. 188. "Hometown" feel (sense of community), friendly. 189. Bike path and view of river. 190. Beauty of architecture. 191. Al's Cafe. 192. Ability to drive easily to, and through downtown. 193. New street improvements. 194. Parking lot improvements. 195. Sidewalk improvements. 196. River. 197. He-men's. 198. Architecture. 199. Great old buildings. 200. Easy accessible by car. 201. Good parking available. 202. Having a beautiful rive with a bike path. 203. Good hospitals. 204. Old homes that are being brought back to their previous beauty. 205. The old buildings. 206. The bike trail. 207. The downtown revitalization that's going on. 208. Memories of the past. 209. Friendly (store)people. 9 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfront.org/feedback.hbal 210. Conversion of old buildings. 211. Bike path. 212. Old buildings. 213. Parks we have. 214. Building facade project. 215. Sitting area improvements. 216. Visual of the overall view (historical architecture). 217. Quaintness/history. 218. Architecture. 219. River. 220. Park development along river. 221. Bike path. 222. Bike path. 223. Walton Island. 224. Historic buildings. 225. Hemmmen's. 226. Library. 227. Police station. 228. Library. 229. He-men's. 230. Tower Building. 231. Police Station. 232. River. 233. New facades. 234. YWCA. 10 of 22 11/17/995:16 PM . . feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.html 235. Library. 236. Historic buildings. 237. River. 238. He-men's 239. The river front area. 240. The restoration of the buildings. 241. The bike pathway. 242. The removal of the Borden & other structures for development. ELGIN RIVERFRONT/CENTER CITY MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY FORUM NO 1. COMMENTS DISLIKES: 1. The safety of parking downtown, and the set up of parking rules. 2. The fact that many residents in Elgin don't have a need to come to downtown. 3. Lack of things that would attract them. People may go thru, but don't stop. 4. Elgin Salvage not being cleaned. 5. Salt Dome and City Services not being moved to different location. 6. Metra's Riverfront reflecting poorly on our City. 7. The lack of parking. 8. Not being able to walk along the river and sit along the banks. 9. The lack of places to shop in the Center City, small shops for cards, snacks, books, etc; opened until 7 or 8 pm. 10. Not enough restaurants & lunch options. 11 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorgifeedback.html 11. Empty/unused downtown buildings. 12. Lack of retail/shops/services, floral, bakery, rollerblade rental. People don't shop downtown. What will take to get them to? Spend a few hours, a Saturday afternoon bookstore. 13. Lack of restaurants, shops. 14. Way riverfront has been treated (e.g. careless trimming of trees). 15. Lack of parks & activities for children. 16. Empty historic buildings. 17. Parking - lack of and in wrong locations. 18. Institutional buildings where retail should be. 19. Not pedestrian friendly. 20. No master plan. 21. Vacant buildings/lack of business activity. 22. Non compatible use along riverfront-Junkyard, Public works, Post Office. 23. Existing buildings not fronting river-Promac & other buildings on Riverside Drive, Post Office, Shed's, (Vandenbergs) (Lipton). 24. Lack of concentration on Riverfront-Sterile walks, no over- looks, etc. 25. Poor visual image entering City from North. 26. Lack of marine activities on river. 27. Total lack of vision North of Kimball Street. 28. Auto dominant/not pedestrian friendly. 29. Back to River/underutilized. 30. Suburbanization of areas of Center City/surface parking. 31. Lack of close in parking for Hemmens/Library. 12 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elgiruiverfront.org/feedback.html 32. Lack of adequate sized Library. 33. Lack of adequate downtown parking. 34. The Rail yard! 35. The uncompleted look of everything. 36. Nobody lives there. 37. Vacant buildings. 38. Lack of Band shell/stage. 39. Lack of Downtown parking(creates congestion). 40. Commercial Industries on Riverfront (Lipton Bldgs). 41. Bus Depot is really ugly. ' 42. Not enough retail. 43. One-way streets 44. Bottleneck on Route 31 between Highland & Chicago. 45. Lack of green space (except park North of Riverboat). 46. Homeless people wandering around. 47. Busses pulling in front of cars at and blocking the tracks. 48. Not enough of places for children to go to in the summer. 49. No public boat launch. 50. Concrete dumped by Kimball street. 51. Stabilize river banks. 52. We can't seem to get the gangs out. 53. We don't have any good restaurants. 54. At different events(art showcase etc) not enough parking. 55. Lack of launch options. 56. Need convenient retail like greeting cards, etc. 11 of22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.html 57. Garish colors 58. Windows full of boxes etc. 59. Crocker Theater. 60. Spanish take over Downtown. 61. Mess along river. 62. Lack of safety in Downtown area. 63. The perception that Downtown is not safe. 64. The lack of past City Government in the Downtown. 65. The lack of good restaurants. 66. Traffic congestion getting across bridge. 67. Under utilization of river front when compared to other cities in the valley. Esthetically unpleasing appearance, lack of character. 68. Area looks bleak. 69. Lack of shopping destinations. 70. Perception that Downtown isn't safe. 71. Parking problems. 72. The need to improve the living spaces downtown & increase the amount of living spaces. 73. The need for more parking downtown. 74. Need more business to come to the Downtown, more restaurants and others. 75. More athletic activities. 76. More landscaping along the river. 77. Remove away the contaminating Elgin Salvage. 14 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.html 78. Accent lighting under/on bridges. 79. Move bus station off the Riverfront (it's ugly). 80. Dress up back side of buildings behind bus station and Riverside Drive. 81. Move Post office off River. 82. Redesign Bus garage to fit in with Elgin (victorian etc - ail deco one of the ugliest structures). 83. Redesign parking garage-all to fit in with Elgin-no futilitariun and modern-ugly. 84. Redesign whole rail line station, parking lot - right of way - really bad. 85. Can't do many simple transactions(like buy a greeting card). 86. Problems parking. 87. Need more places to eat. 88. More seasonal landscaping. 89. More pedestrian areas. 90. More children's play areas. 91. It's nice to have a place to put a boat in above Kimball Street dam, but there is no place to put a boat in below Kimball Street dam-way down to South Elgin. 92. I like the ideas of having Walleyes in the river, but we need a place to put boats into the water. 93. River's edge not well managed-concrete/hard edges. 94. Get City facility away from river. 95. Lack of downtown attractions restaurants/shopping to draw people. 96. Number of service organizations in Downtown area. 15 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfront.org/feedback.html 97. Low number of retailers in downtown area. 98. Look of west bank of River. 99. Bike paths going under the bridges. 100. Too much cement. 101. More ambient lighting. 102. Railroad tracks. 103. Poor Bank maintance. 104. Poor access to River. 105. Dirty, rundown look-deserted feel. 106. Slap on a coat of paint and think it improves things. 107. No good eating, shopping, hotels. 108. Lack of Riverfront Access. 109. Lack of parking at times. 110. Under used green space north of Riverboat area. 111. The lack of life downtown. 112. The state of some buildings. 113. The appearance of downtown from the train. 114. The lack of small shops. 115. Some of the lighting. 116. Parking. 117. Dirty streets and sidewalks (downtown). 118. Too many vagrants. 119. Between Highland & Chicago Street, eyesore buildings. 120. Security question. 121. Lack of entertainment. Ma?? 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback hnp://www.elginriverfront.org/fee-dback.html 122. Lack of water sports activities. 123. Rail yards. 124. Shortage of parking. 125. Lack of shopping in downtown. 126. More stores & etc on east side. 127. The deck is so ugly. Get rid of it. 128. Need more parking-new deck that is attractive. 129. Parking. 130. Gangs. 131. Raw, littered banks. 132. Bus station. 133. Lack of trees/pathways. 134. The junk yard on McBride Street. 135. The City works lot should be moved. 136. Riff .Raff. 137. Have to pay to park. 138. Lack of places to socialize. 139. Abuse of buildings. 140. Bus station is way ugly. 141. Rail yards. 142. Not enough green space-not enough trees. 143. Trees stripped from along tracks on the West side. 144. Bus station is ugly. 145. Public really doesn't have convenient access to riverbank. 146. Boat area doesn't provide public access to river. 17 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.htnd 147. Poor selection of Restaurants. 148. Boarded up buildings. 149. Going downtown to do business and having to have someone unlock the door to get in. 150. Nothing to do in center. 151. Old industrial uses-these drag us down-clean them up and move them out. 152. Barriers in DT/River front-railroad tracks, Lipton Building. 153. Lack of public/neighborhood access to the river. 154. Salvage Yard, Hemmens entry, Lipton Factory, Bus garage. 155. Not enough chances to get to water. 156. Metra depot is ugly. 157. Riverside Drive for cars not people. 158. State street between Highland & Chicago. 159. Lack of retail services. 160. Underused or unused buildings that are viable structures. 161. Abandoned railroad bed property. 162. Dislike maybe having to move. 163. Giving up my house for someone to come to the river one time a year. 164. Too many similar stores. 165. Bad looking Bus area & building. 166. Empty store windows & the Crocker. 167. Seeing threatening or disorientated( drug overdose) individuals or groups in my pathway while walking. 168. Downtown-certain areas difficulty in parking(by former 18 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfront.org/feedback.html Spiess). 169. Miss retail stores. 170. Old industrial buildings. 171. Limited river access. 172. Limited number of restaurants. 173. The empty buildings. 174. Lack of parking. 175. Lack of quality stores. 176. Ugly concrete "Lipton" buildings on State & Chicago Street. 177. Traffic flow/congestion. 178. Lack of parking where it is truly needed. 179. Public's perceptions. 180. Lack of use. 181. Railroad delay's. 182. Having to cross R.R. tracks each time I come. 183. Very little shopping-no variety. 184. Some river front uses undesirable like City Public works. 185. The main downtown area that has small businesses. 186. Lack of public transportation through the area. 187. Not using the theater (Crocker). 188. Railroad tracks. 189. Merchandising of stores. 190. No entertainment except gambling & classical at Hemmens. 191. Lack of restaurants. 192. Fact that Crocker isn't being used. 193. Large garish advertising. 19 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.html 194. Waste of building space in existence 195. Lack of labeling landmarks. 196. Signs at stores in English. 197. Nowhere to eat. 198. Parking. 199. More info or ice-cream. 200. Westside of river. 201. More boating South of Kimball. 202. Homeless population living under bridge. 203. No marina south side of 1-90. 204. Cannot boat on entire river. 205. Empty buildings. 206. No restaurants. 207. No shopping. 208. Neglect of existing sites, parks, buildings. 209. Parking in downtown. 210. Erosion-land, noise, etc. 211. Empty buildings. 212. No shopping. 213. Unsafe. 214. Railroads. 215. Crocker Theater. 216. No shops. 217. Ugly backsides of building facing the river. 218. Too sterile on the new paths. Needs landscaping. 20 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfrontorg/feedback.html 219. Hedge-podgy effect. 220. Not enough people walking 221. Too much traffic. 222. Not enough good restaurants. 223. Metra tracks & line are still ugly. 224. Lack of spirit, charm, vitality, user friendly spaces. 225. Sense of safety-night life. .226. Lack of shopping (sorry, the storefronts are there, but the shops are lacking). 227. Dirt. 228. Traffic. 229. Scrub vegetation. 230. Lack of nightlife. 231. No walk along river. 232. Parking for Metra. 233. Dilapidated structures. 234. Too spread out-gives too much of a vacant feel to some areas. 235. Inconvenient street scape-businesses etc, missing. 236. Lake of good restaurants. 237. Not able to do errands downtown. 21 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM feedback http://www.elginriverfront.org/feedback.htnil ala 11111 II I S ,01/,.� MI ilia 111 Elzp ,,, i,, sass *Ai MI 1,t-,441. -.:- DOWNTII I OWN NEIGHBORHOOD cu x ASC?CtgTIC?t3 CSF ELGIN `�. Link to DNA :gid: Site by: rill Kaizen Web • 22 of 22 11/17/99 5:16 PM • Minutes Riverfront Steering Committee November 11, 1999 3 : 00 p.m. Members Present: Ed Schock, Chairman Linda Kelly Allen Anderson Pat McAtee Joan Berna John McKevitt Steven Byers John Steffen Jack E . Cook Julio Cezar Valdez Ina R. Dews Stuart Wasilowski Members Absent: Pete Dominguez Joyce Parker Tim Williams Staff Members Present: Mark Biernacki Ray Moller Guests : Representatives of Schreiber/Anderson Associates Representatives of Hitchcock Design Group Press Staff I . Call to Order Mayor Schock welcomed everyone present . II . Public Comment Mr. Scott Chesney informed the Steering Committee about the information that was collected regarding the public forum. The comments from the public were very broad, and he asked the committee members what they thought was missing from the meeting that could be commented on further. Some ideas that were suggested are : • Contact specific groups (Highschool , College Students, Hispanics, African Americans) . • Contact members of Churches, Library, YMCA, YWCA, Young Mother ' s . • Get information out early, regarding future public meetings, so people can plan time to attend. • Possible longer sessions so the public can go deeper into the process, therefore we can receive more information. • More information on the Web page for public to access . • Special Edition questionnaire or mailer with a few key questions in both Spanish and English. Steering Committee Minutes November 11 , 1999 2 III . Summary and Discussion Mr. Chesney commented that the first public forum was a huge success and a good kickoff to the Riverfront Master Plan . He explained that now is a very critical time, that public participation is very important and the committee should gather the most input possible for a good start in the planning process . Comments by the committee members that served as facilitators at the public forum are as follows : • Small groups worked together well . • Downtown business owners needs are changing. • Downtown development is weak. • Downtown is not able to attract general business, only specialty businesses . • There is a need for new retail . • Social services is viewed as a negative . • Public access to waterway very important . • Transit is the core driver to the downtown area. • Parking need throughout the city was viewed as ok, but located in the wrong places . IV. How Information is Made Available to the Public The web page was addressed at the public forum. The web address for the Riverfront was given out, and the public was encouraged to "log on" to receive current information. Also suggested was a possible small office type "Discovery Center" that would have information regarding the Riverfront progress that would be accessible to the public . V. Review of Project Schedule The Representatives of Schreiber/Anderson will collect the data and comments received from the public forum and from the steering committee members, and will report the conclusions and give recommendations to the steering committee at the next meeting. Also, the committee will be planning for the next community forum which will be held January 10th . Some suggestions to improve the attendance would be to hold the forum on the weekend, and to give notice of the meeting sooner for the public to plan to attend. VI . Set Next Meeting Date The next Steering Committee meeting will be December 9th, 1999 at the Hemmens , lower level . I Steering Committee Minutes November 11 , 1999 3 II . Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4 : 53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Pepke Recording Secretary 1 Minutes Riverfront Steering Committee November 4, 1999 3 : 00 p.m. Members Present: Ed Schock, Chairman Patrick McAtee Allen Anderson John McKevitt Jack E . Cook Joyce Parker Ina R. Dews John Steffen Pete Dominguez Julio C. Valdez Linda Kelly Stuart Wasilowski Staff Members Present: Ray Moller Guests : Lee A. Gaul Rick Hitchcock I . Call to Order. Mr . Schock welcomed all returning committee members . Mr. Hitchcock introduced himself and welcomed the committee members . II . Discussion of the role of Steering Committee Members as Group Leaders during small group sessions . Mr. Hitchcock reviewed the Agenda for the Community Forum and explained to the Committee Members the role that they will play as Facilitators . Mr. Schock will welcome the public and make introductions . After a brief slide show everyone will break up into small groups for discussion. The Facilitators will explain the purpose of the forum, and collect information from the public regarding their opinions on the Riverfront from their groups . After results are gathered, the groups will reconvene to the main meeting area . After a brief discussion, Mr . Schock will give the closing statements . Mr . Ray Moller told the committee that city staff is doing an aggressive marketing plan to inform the public with mailers, press releases, and a web page . III . Adjournment. Mr . Schock reminded everyone that this meeting should be a good opportunity for the public to express their opinions about the Riverfront , and that the event should be enjoyable for everyone . Steering Committee Minutes November 4 , 1999 2 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4 : 07 p .m. The next Steering Committee meeting will be November 11, 1999 , at 3 : 00 p .m. at the Hemmens (Lower Level) . Respectfully submitted, pro - Sharon Peke Recording Secretary Minutes Riverfront Steering Committee October 4, 1999 1: 00 p.m. Members Present: Ed Schock, Chairman Linda Kelly Allen Anderson John McKevitt Steven Byers Joyce A. Parker Jack E . Cook John Steffen Lynn Corrao Julio Valdez Ina R. Dews Stuart Wasilowski Pete Dominguez Staff Members Present: Mark Biernacki Ray Moller Clay Pearson Jon Durr Guests : Representatives of Schreiber/Anderson Associates Representatives of Hitchcock Design Group Press Staff I . Call to Order Mr. Schock welcomed all present and thanked them for committing their time to the Riverfront Committee . II . Introductions Members of the Riverfront Steering Committee introduced themselves as follows : • Ed Schock, Mayor, City of Elgin. • Stuart Wasilowski, City Council Member. • Lynn Corrao, Representative with Metra. • Allen Anderson, Attorney and New Century Partnership for Elgin. • Pete Dominguez , General Manager, Grand Victoria . • Ina Dews, Citizen of Elgin for 35 years . • Linda Kelly, Citizen of Elgin, Lives on North Grove Avenue . • Steven Byers, Illinois Nat . Preserves Commission, Representative of Isack Walton League . • Jack Cook, President County Forest Preserve . • John Steffen, President Downtown Neighborhood Association. • John McKevitt , Citizen of Elgin. • Julio Cesar Valdez, Attorney, Citizen of Elgin for 25 years . • Joyce A. Parker, City Manager Steering Committee Minutes October 4 , 1999 2 Mr. Tim Anderson, who is the project manager from the firm of Schreiber/Anderson Association of Madison, Wisconsin, introduced the members of the consultants that will be working with the Steering Committee Members . III . Role of the Steering Committee Mr. Schock explained that the job of the Steering Committee would be to advise the City Council and the Consultants of the input received from the Community and act as a sounding board for ideas and suggestions . Mr . Schock read comments from a memo dated September 1, 1949 from a former Mayor stating that little has been acomplished regarding the Riverfront . The Committee needs to focus and define the goals for the Riverfront and follow thru to establish an enhanced enviornment that will bring the whole community together for the betterment of the City. IV. Review of Work Plan and Deliverables Mr. Tim Anderson, who is the Project Manager for the consultants reviewed Phase I and Phase II of the Planning Project . He outlined the goals of each session, recommending that the focus of the Committee should be to define the riverfront boundries, both East and Westside, as well as the Business District and the surrounding neighborhoods . In Phase I , the topics discussed included a bus tour of other Riverfront Communities, a Two-Day Planning Workshop to conduct interviews with different individuals and groups throughout the City, and a Community Forum which will include soliciting public input on the goals for the Riverfront, and any recommendations that the public may have . In Phase II the projects outlined included identifying opportunities for funding from agencies, as well as financing. General design guidelines and graphics will be prepared to report on the progress . The goal is to identify sites and projects by spring. The key is to prioritize and identify projects early and to select a project and start construction mid to late in the year 2000 . V. Discussion of Project Goals Many comments, ideas and suggestions were discussed for the project . A request from Mr. Allen Anderson encouraged the committee to start a web site quickly in order to reach more of the public, and to start receiving input as soon as possible . Some of the goals suggested are : • To make the Riverfront user friendly and accessible . • To have the downtown be a fun, interactive place for families to gather. Steering Committee Minutes October 4 , 1999 3 • Use Metra as a great resource for the Riverfront . • Enhance the areas near the Riverfront - bike path, more art (sculptures) , and music (bandshell) . • To blend development with open spaces . • Focus on the river as a live entity. • To link the City heritage with the future . • To improve the quality of life for the City residents and businesses . • To encourage cross cultural exchanges . • To have the Riverfront and Downtown tie the community together. VI . Review of Project Schedule The proposed schedule for the Committee was reviewed, and comments were made as to the dates and times that the Committee shall meet . Some of the dates and times may need to be changed, and a revised schedule will be submitted. For the general Steering Committee Meeting, the Committee has decided on meeting once a month, on Thursdays, with the meeting time of 3 : 00-5 : 00 p .m. The Committee also commented on the need for more space at the meetings, and a new location may be needed. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2 : 50 p.m. The next Steering Committee meeting will be November 11, 1999 . Respectfully submitted, (7 /7L211 Mao _ Sharon Peke Recording Secretary