Plainfield residents worry 59 corridor may be too commercial
By Madhu Mayer Correspondent March 12, 2013 8:44AM
Updated: April 18, 2013 6:09AM
The challenge for the village of Plainfield is how to incorporate a vision for Illinois 59 that was formulated in part by residents who don’t want to compromise the character of downtown in favor of dense commercial developments.
Civic Artworks, the urban design firm that is seeking residents’ input in the planning and design of the corridor, is creating a website for the study and preparing maps and conceptual plans related to the study.
At issue is whether the stretch of Illinois 59 (Division Street) that runs through downtown should remain a business transition-district, which converts homes to low-traffic businesses or becomes home to high-traffic commercial developments.
During Monday’s village workshop, Zach Borders of Civic Artworks reviewed the community’s input and feedback and presented the final vision for the corridor, along with a 3D concept by architect/illustrator David Carrico.
Borders said residents want to build on the village’s pleasant, hometown atmosphere, retain the business transition atmosphere, enhance Illinois 59 and protect existing residential areas.
“One major discussion point in the visioning process was the future of the southeast corner of Division Street and Joliet Road (U.S. 30),” the study said. “Two concepts were discussed, open space vs. a new commercial corridor.
“There was general support for creating an additional open space in the downtown that could incorporate a potential monument to the legacy of Route 66 in the development of the village of Plainfield,” the study said.
More than 100 comments were made on the website during Phase I of the project and more than 1,000 votes were cast online during the second and third phases of the project. To view the preliminary sketch concepts and to comment on the sketches, visit www.visiondivision.civicartworks.com.
