Village Answers FAQs about Public Space Project

In advance of a public meeting scheduled for March 3, Homewood's Director of Community Development wanted to provide residents with a rundown of some FAQ's about proposed plans for a plaza in downtown Homewood. 

From the Village:

The Village of Homewood is working with The Lakota Group to research the opportunity for creating a public open space in the downtown area.  Public meetings were held last November, with two more meetings held in January of this year. The consultants received many great ideas and suggestions from these meetings regarding the desired uses, functionality, possible locations and design for the public space; these ideas were incorporated into design proposals and presented to the Mayor and Village Trustees at the Feb. 11 Village Board meeting. Questions raised at that meeting regarding the project are addressed below.

1). Why is the Village developing a public space in the downtown?

Development of a public gathering space in the downtown fulfills goals and objectives outlined in the Village’s Strategic Plan and Downtown Master Plan. Funding for the project was approved as part of the CBD Tax Increment District Budget, FY 2013-14. Consistent with the purpose of a TIF district, the development of a public space in the downtown will serve as a long term investment resulting in a positive impact on business retention, business recruitment and an increase in property values.

 Strategic Plan 2010-2015:

·       Initiate beautification and infrastructure improvements to maintain and enhance Homewood’s attractive appearance

·       Sustain and enhance downtown Homewood by using the Downtown Master Plan as a guide to redevelopment

The Downtown Master Plan 

·       Enhance and increase open space within Downtown

·       Improve the overall physical condition of the area

·       Maintain an attractive pedestrian environment 

The Downtown Master Plan identified Martin Avenue, north of Ridge Road, as an opportunity for a ‘Central Greenway’, to enhance the center of Downtown and physically connect commercial blocks with the Village Hall. (Downtown Master Plan, Section 3.2)

2) Why does the public space have to be located on Martin Avenue, why not use Independence or Irwin Park?

The location for the public space is strategic in its proximity to existing, planned and potential commercial development. The intersection of Martin Avenue and Ridge Road is the physical and visual connection to the Metra Station, the Village Hall and businesses in the central core of the downtown.  Many of the Village’s community events are held on Martin Avenue.  The proposed location for the public open space serves to create a focal point with the Village Hall as the terminus of Martin Avenue.   The use of CBD Tax Increment Funds is limited to the District boundaries; neither Independence or Irwin Park are located in the CBD TIF District and therefore improvements to these parks cannot be funded through the CBD TIF District.

3) Shouldn’t we wait for the hotel to be completed before moving on this project?

The development of the Martin Avenue project has no relationship to the hotel development except for its ability to capitalize on the positive momentum of the hotel opening.  There are other potential developments in the downtown that also will contribute to the positive momentum the Village is looking to capitalize upon, such as the opening of Civilitea Gardens, expansion of Aristix Salon, the potential for a new restaurant at the southeast corner of Ridge and Martin, and the potential for redevelopment of the Ryan Funeral Home.  No one development determines the location or creation of a public gathering space; rather all improvements in the downtown work together to create a positive business climate for all properties. 

4) What is the Village trying to accomplish by developing this public gathering space?

Creating a public gathering place in the downtown provides the unique opportunity to promote the vitality and success of existing and planned development. The sense of community generated by the over 60 events held year round in the downtown  and the economic opportunity that will result from the redevelopment of the former Great Lakes Bank provide the perfect backdrop to what will be the new hub for social activity in the downtown. The development of a public gathering space in the downtown fulfills goals and objectives of the Village’s Strategic Plan and Downtown Master Plan.

5) What is the Return on Investment (ROI) for this project?

There are quantifiable and unquantifiable returns on investment as a result of constructing a public gathering space.  Studies have shown quantifiable returns when communities improve their downtown areas through enhanced streetscapes, creation of parking areas and development of open spaces.  Homewood cannot quantify these results until the improvements are completed, however similar projects by other communities have shown significant returns from their public improvements in their downtown areas through increased sales and property values. There are many unquantifiable returns on public investments in downtown areas including the creation of a sense of place, positive momentum for reinvestment in the area, creation of event space the draws potential customers and clients to the area and overall improvement to the aesthetics and social fabric of the community.

6) What other design options have been investigated?

As part of the analysis performed by The Lakota Group, several design proposals were presented to the public and Village Board which investigated the appropriate location for a public gathering space, the various enhancements to the space and the general design for the site which included investigating a two-way street, modified one-way street and closed street option north of Ridge Road on Martin Avenue.  The consensus of the Board at the January 11, 2014 meeting was the closed street option.  Various design options were also discussed for Martin Avenue south of Ridge Road with general consensus supporting enhancement of the Village parking lot north of Homewood Florist which would allow for the temporary closure of the 10 parking spaces and one-way circulation heading west.

Staff is available to answer questions related to this project; please contact Paula J. Wallrich, 708-206-3387.  Design proposals, estimated budget and schedule will be presented at a public meeting to be held:

• MARCH 3, 2014
• 7 P.M.
• VILLAGE COUNCIL BOARDROOM
• 2020 CHESTNUT ROAD

• HOMEWOOD