Streetscape Improvement Plan

The Village Board accepted the Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan Final Report at the Village Board Work Session Meeting on Tuesday, March 14. As a reminder, all project documents and a summary of community engagement activities can be found on the Village’s website.

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On February 22, 2022, the Village Board approved the selection of Sam Schwartz for consultant services to develop a Streetscape Improvement Plan for the Village Market area. Sam Schwartz is a national transportation planning and engineering firm that specializes in pedestrian and traffic safety along corridors similar to La Grange Road, and Site Design Group is an award-winning landscape architecture and design firm with expertise in sustainable streetscapes and creative "placemaking." 

Project documents, updates, and opportunities to participate in community engagement will be posted to this webpage. Please contact Frannie Ritchie or Maggie Jarr with any questions regarding this project.

Franny Ritchie, Project Manager - Sam Schwartz 
fritchie@samschwartz.com 
(312) 736-2533 

Maggie Jarr, Assistant Village Manager 
mjarr@lagrangepark.org 
(708) 354-0225 ext. 108

Project Study AreaVillage Market Study Area

Project Objectives

The Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan will be organized around the following outcomes:
  • Create a sense of place – Recommend streetscape elements, such as signage, landscaping, lighting, seating/furnishings, public art, and other enhancements, to improve gateways and wayfinding and provide a more comfortable and pleasant environment for pedestrians.
  • Promote accessibility – Identify and facilitate better and more accessible routes between Village Market and nearby residential neighborhoods, community facilities, parks and open space, and public transit stations. The plan should include strategies for improving the pedestrian connection between Village Market and the residential areas west of La Grange Road.
  • Enhance mobility and safety – Identify intersection enhancements, crossings, sidewalks, public transit facilities (bus stops and shelters), and other complete streets elements. The plan should recommend traffic calming methods at crosswalks and other points of pedestrian access, particularly along La Grange Road.
  • Reinforce environmental sustainability – Consider stormwater management and energy conservation in streetscape recommendations. The plan should also recommend ways to integrate electric vehicle charging stations into Village-owned and private parking areas.
  • Engage the community and key stakeholders – Involve residents, business owners, and other community stakeholders in the planning process and integrate their feedback into the vision, concepts and recommendations, and prioritization of strategies. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will also be engaged throughout this process to ensure that the plan’s recommendations for La Grange Road are feasible.
  • Provide a roadmap for implementation and funding – Prioritize recommendations, identify clear implementation steps, and include potential funding sources for the recommended improvements. The plan should indicate which projects are TIF eligible and also list relevant grant opportunities

Community Engagement

Residents, businesses, and other community stakeholders will have many opportunities to participate in the planning process.

Public Meeting #1 - Kickoff Event 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
La Grange Park Public Library, 555 N. La Grange Road 

The Village hosted a public event to kick off the Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan on Tuesday, May 3 at the La Grange Park Public Library with approximately 50 residents in attendance. This plan will present a vision and recommendations for public improvements that establish a safer, more inviting environment along La Grange Road and throughout the Village Market area. The event included a presentation, live polling, and an interactive mapping activity.

Community Survey

Monday, April 25, 2022 (Open) - Friday, May 20, 2022 (Closed)
Hard copy surveys available upon request

The community survey asked about your experiences traveling to, from, and within the project study area, and closed with about 650 responses. In addition, approximately 100 “pins” were added to an online map identifying particular issues or challenges at and around Village Market.

Public Meeting #2 - Open House

Wednesday, September 7, 2022, 6:00-8:00 p.m. 
La Grange Park Public Library, 555 N. La Grange Road 

The Village hosted a public open house on Wednesday, September 7 at the La Grange Park Public Library. This event included a series of informative and interactive engagement stations to give community members an opportunity to provide input on potential streetscape designs.

Public Meeting Photos

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Final Report

  1. Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan FINAL REPORT MARCH 2023

Presentations

  1. Steering Committee Meeting #4 - Presentation (February 28, 2023)
  2. Public Meeting #2 - Open House (September 7, 2022)
  3. Steering Committee Meeting #3 - Presentation (August 23, 2022).pdf
  4. Steering Committee Meeting #2 - Presentation (May 27, 2022).pdf
  5. Public Meeting #1 - Kickoff Event Presentation (May 3, 2022).pdf

Project Documents

  1. Village of La Grange Park_Streetscape Improvement Plan_RFP Final.pdf
  2. Pre-Proposal Meeting PPT 20211117.pdf
  3. Pre-Proposal Sign-In Sheet 20211117.pdf
  4. Pre-Proposal Meeting Q&A.pdf
  5. Sam Schwartz Proposal.pdf