Glen Ellyn reaches final phases of downtown study

A months-long study of downtown Glen Ellyn is reaching its final phases with a strategic plan unveiled this week.

The village board is expected to vote on the downtown plan in coming weeks after providing another chance for public input at an Aug. 17 workshop.

While the overall reaction to this week's presentation was positive, Village President Mark Pfefferman said some key questions remain, including how to fund some of the proposed projects.

A positive vote on the strategic plan doesn't necessarily mean the village will implement everything; the plan just provides an outline to shape downtown.

Jim Louthen, president of consulting group Town Builder Studios, which took charge of the study, said he sees it as a long-term vision for the downtown business sector.

"The primary goal of the plan is to address the economic viability of the downtown for the residents and the merchants," he said. "The fact of the matter is that the trends of the last three years have revealed an increase in vacancies."

Glen Ellyn needs more green space downtown, the report says, along with a new train depot and new fire station.

Other recommendations, made with the help of merchants and residents on a downtown advisory committee, include increasing the residential area on and around Main Street, making roads two-way to help traffic flow, creating an entertainment center and increasing parking.

Louthen said the housing needs to appeal to all spectra of the market, including younger families and retirees. The plan also recommends mixed use - apartments above retail - as well as larger homes in all price ranges.

"I think of this as a new era for the downtown, where it is still recognized as a significant retail destination but simultaneously it's also evolving into an urban neighborhood," he said.

Louthen said two-way traffic, especially on Main Street, will improve the downtown flow.

However, Pfefferman said there are still concerns if changes to traffic patterns will reduce parking.

Another big question also remains: how to pay for any changes. The cost for all the proposed projects is estimated at $185 million.

Pfefferman said the board will first likely look at some of the low-cost changes that can be made relatively easily, such as making buildings more attractive. But the plan makes it clear that making small changes won't have a lasting or dramatic effect.

"It has to be all these things," he said.

Anyone interested in commenting on the latest version of the plan can contact village hall. The presentation and the full version are available at glenellyn.org under the "latest news" tab.