Downtown Glen Ellyn Update

February 2009

Thursday, January 15, was the final presentation of the proposed concept plan which will guide the future development in the downtown area to support and help to rejuvenate downtown businesses over the next couple of decades. Along with other residents and business owners, CGEP members took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions regarding the future of the historic commercial buildings that give our downtown its unique charm. We also expressed concern about the scale of future development in the transitional area between the downtown and the residential neighborhoods.

The plan recommends that the majority of our older buildings in the core business district be preserved and renovated for modern use, although this does not preclude the owner’s option of eventually tearing down and rebuilding any of these structures. However, it is unfortunate that, so far, the recommendation to landmark our downtown area has not been included in the plan. This step was specifically recommended in the study by Bauer Latoza, the nationally renowned architecture firm that provided the study of the historic structures. Landmark status would lend guidance in restoration projects and could help local building owners qualify for federal tax credits and other economic incentives.

Also, the issue of the scale of buildings that immediately surround the downtown is still problematic. The plan calls for numerous 4 and 5 story multi-family and mixed-use structures to surround the old downtown. Increasing the population of downtown residents is a crucial step in revitalizing downtown businesses and would provide housing for both 1st time buyers and older residents wishing to downsize. However, many residents have already expressed a strong dislike for the recently built, tall, massive structures on Pennsylvania and Crescent avenues that already dwarf both the downtown structures on one side and the single family homes on the other. Instead of more construction of buildings of this scale, this area should be a transition between our neighborhoods and the downtown with invitingly landscaped structures no more than 3 stories tall (no taller than those on Main Street) that are welcoming to pedestrian traffic. Buildings taller than 3 stories create an urban sensibility that is not in keeping with the character of a small town. Current zoning allows for the taller structures and may need to be changed so that such inappropriate projects are not begun.