Streetscape Project To Kick Off March 14 In Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN, IL — Downtown Glen Ellyn's streetscape will be getting a long-awaited refresher starting March 14, when the village kicks off a multiphase streetscape improvement project. The redevelopment will include new sidewalks and roadways, additional accessibility features, water and sanitation updates and more.

The project's contracts were approved by Glen Ellyn village board members Feb. 14. A redesign of downtown Glen Ellyn's streetscape has been in the works for years as a result of aging infrastructure, a news release said. In recent years, the village has made moves to improve parking and add dozens of new trees to the downtown area.

For more than 35 years straight, Glen Ellyn has received the Tree City Award from Tree City USA for its urban forestry. As the streetscape project continues, Glen Ellyn plans to double the number of trees downtown and add more variety to the greenery. Plans are also in the works to add granite planters that will feature irrigation and seat walls that will give pedestrians a charming place to rest as they stroll downtown.

The initial phase of work is scheduled to last through Nov. 2022 and will focus on the following areas:

• Main Street from Hillside Avenue to Union Pacific West Railroad
• Duane Street from Prospect Avenue to Forest Avenue
• Hillside Avenue from Glenwood Avenue to east side of Main Street.

Residents who want to learn more about Glen Ellyn's streetscape project can tune in to or attend public information meetings that will be held via Zoom and at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center, 535 Duane St.

The dates are as follows. Click each link to access the Zoom information.:

• March 7 at 2 p.m.
• March 8 at 7 p.m.

The initial street repair will be helmed by A Lamp Concrete Contractors of Schaumburg, with Bollinger Loch and Associates of Itasca serving as construction engineers.

"It is very exciting for the village to begin work on this project," Glen Ellyn Senior Civil Engineer Tom Topor told Patch.

He added, "We have spent years developing the project, obtaining input from residents and businesses and building a plan that will allow us to update our infrastructure and preserve the historic charm of Glen Ellyn’s downtown. This project is something the entire community can enjoy and be proud of."