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Politics & Government

Geneva Unveils Downtown Mega-Plan

The downtown master plan's first draft, ready for public review, spotlights seven opportunity sites and much more. A Public Information Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27.

The city of Geneva has unveiled an aggressive Downtown Master Plan that spotlights seven opportunities for downtown site development, calls for "greater residential density" and creates a "civic gathering place."

The city will hold a Public Information Meeting on the draft plan at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, in the Training Room, 1800 South St. A summary of the draft plan will presented at the meeting, and the public will have an opportunity to provide comments.

In the meantime, there is a lot to digest in the 75-page draft, including these seven, specific development opportunities:

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1. The Burgess Norton Opportunity Site—that calls for the extention of Seventh Street

The development concept for this opportunity site is to provide a neighborhood-scaled light industrial/business park area that is compatible with the existing residential neighborhood, while accommodating the extension and realignment of an extended Seventh Street.

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2. West Shoreline Multifamily—takes advantage of increased building elevation heights between the Fox River and First Street.

The development concept for this opportunity site is to provide new multi-family and single-family attached residential development in the downtown in a manner that is sensitive to the established residential neighborhood while taking advantage of the proximity to the Fox River and the opportunities for increased building height provided by the elevation change between the river and First Street.

3. Seventh and State—New library, new mixed uses

The development concept for this opportunity site includes several key components, including a new library, extending Seventh Street to the north, new commercial/mixed-use redevelopment on the northeast and southwest corners of State and Seventh, and new row houses along James Street. The concept seeks to provide opportunities for appropriate new infill development and improved vehicular and bicycle circulation in a manner that reinforces the more traditional downtown development pattern that exists along State Street to the east.

4. Hamilton and Third—New structured parking and multifamily residential.

The development concept for this opportunity site focuses primarily on providing new structured parking, new multi-family residential development along the south side of Hamilton Street, between Second Street and Fourth Street, with limited commercial facing Second through Fourth streets. The “transitional” nature of development and uses along Hamilton Street creates an area that can accommodate a variety of uses. This concept utilizes this location to accommodate new higher density residential uses adjacent to the downtown’s primary shopping core.

5. First, State and River Street—City Hall, library open to "adaptive re-use"

The development concept for this opportunity site focuses on three primary objectives: 1) balancing the opportunity for use/reuse of existing government facilities; 2) providing strategically located structured parking; and 3) development of new commercial/mixed-use structures. The challenge of addressing these three components is doing so in a sensitive manner, within the context of the existing uses and development.

6. "East Bank" Concept—Extends downtown retail, lodging, residential

The development concept for this opportunity site is intended to improve the area east of the Fox River as more of an extension of downtown by providing opportunities for new retail, lodging, and residential uses in an attractive setting along the Fox River, along with public space, trails, and riverfront access. Sites along East State Street are shown as new residential development, utilizing the change of grade as a development asset. Each of the individual developments and uses illustrated in this concept can be evaluated independently of one another or in whole, while still achieving an overall improvement to the area.

7. Metra Station Concept—More parking, commercial, residential

The development concept for this opportunity site is to provide additional parking for commuters, additional commercial/retail along Third Street, and new residential development opportunities along South Street and Fourth Street, all in a manner that maintains the overall desired character of the area while providing for the future increase in Metra ridership and the better utilization of key sites near the station.

"Downtown Geneva will be bolstered by mixed-use infill development, including a mix of housing types to attract new residents and establish a greater residential density within the downtown area," the report says. "The creation of a dedicated civic gathering space will provide a symbolic heart for the community and a permanent home for Geneva’s renowned special events and festivals."

The draft plan is available for viewing and downloading on the City of Geneva website www.geneva.il.us. Click on “Geneva News,” then click on the large turquoise-colored button “Geneva Downtown/Station Area Master Plan Project Website”, and then click on “Documents” to access the Draft Downtown/Station Area Master Plan.

In addition to the June 27 meeting, you can provide feedback comments on the draft plan by clicking on “Get Involved” on the project website to enter your feedback comments, emailing comments to duntch@geneva.il.us, or calling (630) 232-0871.

 

SOURCE: City of Geneva press release

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