Libertyville to assess downtown streetscape, develop business kiosk sign concepts

Libertyville has hired a well-known planning firm to assess the downtown streetscape and produce concepts for new business sign kiosks.

Trustees approved a $27,650 contract with Teska Associates Inc., an Evanston firm specializing in community planning, urban design, landscape architecture, site planning and economic development in projects throughout the suburbs.

Teska will evaluate the existing streetscape conditions and make recommendations for improvements with estimated costs. The firm also will "extend the design pallette" of work it completed for the village's Church Street parking garage by developing a concept for business sign kiosks.

Evaluating the streetscape, directories and wayfinding signage are among the projects in the village's capital plan.

The streetscape evaluation will determine if replacement or improvements are needed due to wear and tear, gaps, new amenities or modernization.

Installing downtown directories would allow visitors to orient themselves to stores, restaurants and parking, get them were they are going more easily and potentially increase their stay when they find new offerings, according to the capital plan.

Three downtown directories are envisioned in the plan - one at each parking garage and a third to be centrally located.

The capital plan calls for a consultant to create a plan for wayfinding signage needs, designs and locations. Wayfinding signs direct people to certain landmarks, government offices, businesses or bike paths, for example.

"The downtown streetscape is over 20 years old and is beginning to show some deterioration," according to the project description in the capital plan. The way individuals use the downtown also has changed, and there may be a need to "refresh and improve the customer experience."

Directories and wayfinding would help to better orient new and existing customers to make sure they're getting around easily and can find other services and stores, according to the plan.

The village's economic development commission and MainStreet Libertyville have backed the efforts as simultaneously improving the look and feel of the village and benefiting businesses.

"We look forward to working with the village on this project," said Jennifer Johnson, executive director of MainStreet Libertyville.

"It will benefit all downtown businesses, and hopefully guide additional pedestrian traffic to those businesses located along the side streets and the alleys off Milwaukee Avenue, as well as the far north and south ends of the downtown."