Most Oppose Clarendon Hills Plaza Idea: Survey

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – For months, Clarendon Hills officials pushed the idea of replacing a downtown traffic triangle with a plaza.

The stumbling block: Residents opposed it.

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More than 550 people responded to a survey on downtown a few months ago.

The survey did not ask a specific question about the plaza, the most contentious issue in the village's downtown plans.

However, Patch counted 112 comments against the plaza and 22 in favor. In other words, 84 percent of the comments were in opposition.

A taxpayer-paid consultant conducted the survey.

Getting the survey results was a challenge. When Patch first requested the information a couple of months ago, Clarendon Hills declined, asserting it had the legal right to keep the results secret.

But the village quickly shifted gears, saying it would disclose the information with redactions.

This week, the village released all the results and comments online with no apparent redactions.

Patch left a message for comment Tuesday with Village President Eric Tech.

Last month, village trustees backed off the plaza idea. Instead, they said they wanted to install retractable barriers to block off the triangle for events.

Plaza backers contended it would make downtown more inviting, while opponents said it would reduce safety and cause traffic congestion near the railroad tracks.

In the survey, many expressed support for the current Kenneth Sloan Triangle on Prospect Avenue, calling it "cute" and "charming."

"The triangle is a big part of (Clarendon Hills') character," a respondent said. "We're not Elmhurst. That's a good thing."

One person said, "Mr. Tech's efforts to create a personal legacy project that addresses a non-existent problem are misguided."

Another said, "Building a plaza next to a busy road heavily used for Metra access and cross-town traffic also seems like a poor use of space and resources."

A plaza supporter requested that the village go through with the plaza.

"(D)on't let the loud and destructive minority of NIMBYs hold us back," the person said.

Another said traffic issues associated with a plaza could be solved.

"If it takes me a few more minutes to cross the tracks, that is OK," the person said. "I just want a beautiful downtown with places to sit with family, friends and neighbors."

Overall, nearly 80 percent of survey respondents indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with downtown. The rest were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.