Committee takes look at Algonquin study

In order to develop a thriving downtown, Algonquin needs to attract more employers within a 5-minute driving radius so their workers will patronize downtown businesses, a consultant told members of a village steering committee Thursday night.

“We have to figure out how to connect that office use to make restaurants more successful downtown,” said Bridget Lane, principal at Business Districts, Inc.

That would, in turn, attract more businesses to achieve the ideal mix of retail stores, service businesses like beauty salons and restaurants, she said.

Members of the downtown planning steering committee were given a preliminary report on a downtown planning study lead by Land Vision Inc., which has offices in Chicago and St. Charles.

The study, funded by a $90,000 federal grant, aims to create a vision for the future of downtown Algonquin after the so-called Western Bypass of Route 31 at Route 62 is built.

The bypass could be finished as early as late 2013, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A total of 480 people took a survey about the quality of traffic, shopping, dining and other features of downtown Algonquin, and 17 business and property owners were interviewed in person, said Land Vision Principal Ron Lanz.

Among survey respondents, 89 percent said they would spend more money downtown if there were more casual dining options, Lane said. A bookstore was the most wished-for new business, followed by a home accessory store and a gift and collectibles shop.

Respondents believe there is a parking problem in downtown Algonquin, but consultants found that about 30 percent of public spaces are open even during Saturday peak times, said Stacey Meekins, senior planner with Sam Schwartz Engineering.

Access to the city’s municipal parking lot should be improved, however, and Route 31 could be made more pedestrian friendly with methods like blinking lights, she added.

Consultants advocated maximizing the impact of bike trails running through Algonquin, as riders could be enticed to patronize downtown businesses with better signage and path connections.

The study also identifies areas ripe for future development, such the southeast corner of Route 62 and Route 31, and an undeveloped area northwest of the intersection, beyond the Shell gas station.

A public workshop to present the study’s preliminary findings and elicit more input from residents is planned for 7 p.m. July 19 at St. John’s Lutheran Church & School, 300 Jefferson St., in Algonquin.