Mission Statement for Glen Ellyn’s Historic Central Business District
The business district of Glen Ellyn occupies the center of the community both as commercial and public space, with historic architecture that surrounds visitors with a sense of stability and tradition. These structures, which are a vital part of the character and well-being of the village, should be preserved. Built of a quality of materials and craftsmanship that are now rarely matched, existing historic structures should
be respectfully restored to preserve them for another century of use. Contemporary infill structures should reflect the scale and surfaces of the surrounding buildings, but without being rote simulations of earlier styles. Instead, new structures should be the finest of 21st century architecture with the best use of environmentally sensitive, new materials and technologies, combined with sensitivity to their position within the streetscape. Pedestrians should be comfortable, not dwarfed, within the confines of the heart
of town.
The unique sense of place that strip mall architecture and chain stores cannot provide increasingly draws visitors to the traditional Main Streets of small towns. This uniqueness, combined with small independent retailers who are active community members, is what has kept Glen Ellyn’s downtown a vibrant commercial district for over a century. Therefore, preservation and restoration of our historic downtown buildings, combined with thoughtfully designed infill construction, should be of the highest priority in the development of plans for the revitalization of the Central Business District.
Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation
January 2008
Choice of a Firm for Downtown Revitalization
To begin the process of revitalization of the downtown business district, the Village of Glen Ellyn recently hired a firm to address the issues to which Glen Ellyn residents have voiced their greatest concerns. Eligible firms submitted Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) to be reviewed by the Village Board to determine how each firm would address these important issues within the framework of the Downtown Strategic Plan. The firms were to submit a team that could best respond to a number of goals, including three that have been repeatedly cited as most critical by residents. These three goals are listed below:
1. Provide market analysis to prepare a plan specific to Glen Ellyn that addresses existing retail activity, identifies potential market niches, and provides a plan for developing Glen Ellyn as a destination.
2. Address parking issues, including investigation of current trends and analysis of downtown traffic patterns of foot, car and other means of transportation. Incorporate market analysis into the planning of adequate location, access and financial considerations, to create the best overall parking plan.
3. Assess existing downtown commercial building stock to determine historical significance and whether or not these structures need/can be renovated or restored to meet current retail needs.
In addition to these specific needs, other assessments were identified, including ownership and land use patterns, infrastructure, development patterns, and volunteer group responsibilities.
Based on careful review by Village Trustees, two firms were under final consideration, Houseal LaVigne and Town Builder Studios. The Board’s final vote was for Town Builders Studios (www.townbuilderstudios.com).
Message from CGEP Board
The Village of Glen Ellyn has hired Town Builders Studios as consultants
in the revitalization of the downtown business district
Monday, February 11, Members of the Board of Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation came out in support of completing a contract with the firm Town Builder Studio, for the purpose of an extensive study to be conducted to aid in future planning for the central business district. Although CGEP had originally supported another firm, Downtown Professionals (representing the Main Street Program sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation), in respect for the extensive research work done by the selection committee, and to support the process of government in Glen Ellyn, we felt that it was in the best interest of our Village to move forward. Up until a few weeks ago, we had decided to remain neutral regarding the final choice; however, the contentious and divisive atmosphere that had grown throughout the long selection process made us feel that support of the democratic process would be in the best interest of everyone concerned.
However, before we took this step we wanted to be assured that the firm that had been voted on last month, Town Builder Studios, warranted our support. Members of Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation had attended every workshop, presentation and meeting, many of which lasted late into the evenings, and so were familiar with the project from start to finish. To gain even more background, over the last two weeks, we interviewed individuals on both sides of the issue, contacted the architectural firm that was to take part in the study and spoke with officials in four different Villages who had worked with Jim Louthen, principal owner of Town Builder Studios. To back up their verbal recommendations with written documents, we asked that each official answer a brief survey. (Results of the survey can be found on our website.)
Issues that were particularly important to us were whether or not Town Builder Studio (or URS, Mr Louthen’s previous firm) was reliable, completed the work in a timely fashion, was within budget and collected and then made use of input from a wide range of business owners, citizens and local organizations.
Additionally, we interviewed Ed Torrez of BauerLatoza, the architectural firm that would do the historic survey of the downtown, to confirm Mr. Louthen’s sensitivity to the large collection of older buildings that line Main Street and the adjacent cross streets in our village. The architectural framework of the central business district will be a vital component of the final plan.
Protection of both public and commercial historic buildings within the center of town is a fundamental part of the mission of our organization. This is best served knowing that the team involved in a plan for revitalization respects the unique character of our town.
Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation is encouraged and excited that the next steps will be positive, as the residents, business owners, village officials and staff, and local organizations join with Town Builder Studios to create the strategic plan for our downtown.
Members of the Board of Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation
2007 Fall Seminar CD
If you missed our September seminar featuring Main Street™: How to Revitalize Downtown Glen Ellyn, by Nick Kalogeresis, of the National Trust Main Street Center, email seacwilson@aol.com to borrow a CD. |
