Take a peek at Oakton/Elmhurst corridor study

The Des Plaines city council this week got a first look at a commercial corridor plan for Oakton Street and Elmhurst Road.

The plan, developed by Camiros Ltd., is meant to serve as a template for future development, design, and improvements along these two roadways, officials said.

It calls for a more uniform design of structures, beautification of industrial buildings, and improvements such as infrastructure work, streetscape work, increased landscaping, gateway features, and expanding pedestrian and bicycle paths.

The roughly four-mile study area involves 387 parcels that make up 510 acres along Elmhurst Road from Oakton to Dempster streets, and Oakton from Elmhurst to River Road.

Work on the plan began in June 2008. Over 18 months, Camiros brought together various city staff and residents to brainstorm ideas for these commercial corridors. The firm performed an analysis of existing conditions along those roadways, including land use, building condition, parking distribution, urban design and zoning.

The city council will further discuss the plan at future meetings.

To view a PowerPoint presentation on the completed Oakton Street/Elmhurst Road corridor study, visit desplaines.org/Services/CommunityDevelopment/OaktonElmhurst090720.pdf.