5th Avenue Project Workshop Planned For July 15

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville residents who are wondering the status of the city's ongoing 5th Avenue Project will have a chance get an update on the project and planning process. The 5th Avenue City Council Meeting Workshop is planned for July 15 at 7 p.m. and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will go over recent developments in the 5th Avenue Project, which aims to revitalize 13 acres of land along 5th Avenue that are adjacent to the Metra station. In addition to giving a recap of the project's progress, city officials will also discuss next steps and other related developments.

Some important 5th Avenue Project updates include opting not to move the DuPage County Children's Museum, setting a goal of 20 percent affordable housing for the development, and approving a multi-year commuter work plan.

At the meeting, city officials will present options for a work plan that include directing Ryan Companies to draw up a baseline concept and project costs for the development. Another option would be to take the 5th Avenue Project off the 2019 and foresee it as part of more wide-ranging strategic planning goals to be tackled in 2020 and 2021.

The baseline concept Ryan Companies has been workshopping combines two separate concepts related to the 5th Avenue Project. It centers around broad priorities that include community engagement, financial feasibility, and other considerations.

Some baseline policy concepts that will be discussed at the 5th Avenue Project workshop include:

• Should the overall supply of commuter parking be increased as a result of this project?
• Should the baseline concept include a new pedestrian crossing?
• Does the City Council have a preference for the future of the Kroehler Lot? Stay surface parking or become townhomes?
• What's the preferred maximum height for any new developments?

The City Council 5th Avenue Workshop will be held on July 15 at 7 p.m. at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville.