Algonquin Downtown Plans Get A Boost

Algonquin has received a $90,000 federal grant to assist with downtown redevelopment and planning.

The Community Planning Program grant will help Algonquin develop a vision for downtown including business development, historic preservation, and pedestrian and bicycle access. The village also will look at the impact of the Western Bypass on downtown.

"After the Western Bypass is complete, truck traffic will be removed from Main Street in downtown," said Village Planner Ben Mason. "It will really open up the traffic flow and create some opportunities."

The $70 million Western Bypass will run along the west side of Illinois Route 31 from Rakow Road, will cut through Towne Park, and come back to 31 at Huntington Drive. It will include the reconstruction and widening of portions of Route 31. , although the project has been on the books for more than 15 years.

Once started, construction should take about two years.

Algonquin is seeking feedback from the public about the future of downtown. A community survey is available online.

Mason said the federally funded planning effort also would look for ways to pay for downtown improvements, such as potential grants.

Mason said Algonquin's planning efforts will include looking at what sort of business and commercial development might work best in downtown. He also said the village wants downtown to enjoy adequate pedestrian access and capitalize on bike path and trail connections.