Glen Ellyn seeks residents' feedback on downtown plan

Glen Ellyn residents have through Friday to provide input on a "preferred" plan to improve downtown.

A survey about the proposal is available at glenellyn.org.

The village embarked on its plan to develop a new idea for downtown last year, after increases in the number of vacant businesses became a concern.

"People in Glen Ellyn feel the downtown represents an integral part of the community," said Staci Hulseberg, director of planning and development for the village. "The village wanted to best position the downtown to be able to continue to be vibrant."

The board hired Town Builder Studios last February to study the area and develop a strategy for improving the vitality of downtown.

Last Thursday, after going through thousands of comments from two previous concepts, the consultants presented a plan that combines both.

Jim Louthen, president of Town Builder Studios, said the plan calls for more affordable residential units, the notion of "The Glen" communal green space, a new train station platform with warming shelters, improved parking and turning Main Street back into a two-way road.

The concept also separates different locations for mixed-use, service and residential buildings.

"In order to attract additional people, we need to capitalize on the existing and historic charm of the downtown," Louthen said.

Although the market for residential units isn't at its most viable, Louthen said his group is studying them carefully to make sure prices can be competitive.

"We're including apartments and smaller for-sale products," he said.

Louthen said there also has been some misperception that downtown businesses will be relocated, but he said that isn't the intent.

"Businesses would only relocate if the merchants wanted to relocate or if it was profitable," he said. "The plan simply explores how redevelopment could occur to the benefit of the existing merchants."

The survey includes questions about the goals for downtown, the importance of various areas, such as Main and Duane streets, potential locations of residential property, height regulations, outdoor entertainment, a pedestrian underpass at the railroad tracks and partnership with the College of DuPage.

"We've already received a tremendous amount of input from the community in the past," Louthen said. "This is a synthesis of feedback we've received previously. The current questionnaire confirms that the current plan as developed is consistent with that."

An overview of the plan is available with the survey, but more details, including the slide show presentation from Jan. 15, are available at glenellyn.org or townbuilderstudios.com/glenellyn.htm. The presentation also can be found at the civic center, 535 Duane St.

The village has held several public hearings about the downtown proposals and has a 15-member committee working with the consultants.

The next step in the process will include an implementation strategy and recommendations that will be presented to the downtown advisory committee.

Ideally, Hulseberg said, the plan will be adopted by the village board after trustees review it in March.