Streetscape by the Slice
Community Open House Invites Input on Preliminary Concepts for Hubbard Woods Streetscape
Following direction from the Teska Downtown Plan and 5 phases of streetscape installs in Winnetka's Elm Street District, the Village has embarked on a streetscape plan for Hubbard Woods. This initiative is a unique community collaboration between Winnetka and Glencoe, given Glencoe controls the northern portion of the district. The focus of the project centers on traffic calming, pedestrian safety, placemaking and branding to better express character of Hubbard Woods and Winnetka.
"We’re looking to tie the districts together with certain elements and then also trying to create some uniqueness with other elements in each district.”
Hubbard Woods Streetscape Plan Community Open House
Community members identify desired streetscape components
Safety, Circulation, Amenities & Human Scale Interest
As noted in an Article published in The Record North Shore:
Winnetka adopted its downtown master plan in 2016, which identified streetscape improvements in the districts. Regarding hoped-for improvements, participants listed repairs to the roadways and sidewalks in poor condition, calm traffic and improved pedestrian safety and crossings, improved visibility and conflicts at Merrill Street, and improved pedestrian crossings and appearance at Tower Road as top choices.
"Once we solve the traffic circulation and pedestrian safety/comfort, only then can we start to look at the bells and whistles. It’s like frosting on a cake. You can’t put frosting on if the cake isn’t baked... we have to make sure that we have a really good foundation here."
- Jodi Mariano, Teska Principal and Project Manager, speaking to the importance of order when planning for pedestrian safety (aka the cake) and streetscape design elements (aka the frosting)
Next Steps: To be or not to be IDOT
Another interesting fold is that the streetscape plan is exploring and presenting two scenarios for the future: (1) an IDOT controlled concept if IDOT continues to govern the street and (2) a Village concept if Winnetka takes control of the roadway through a Jurisdictional Transfer.
Planning to date has included a visual preference survey (580 responses), public meetings, and interactive activities with more to come. Next steps include virtual open houses to mimic the in-person events and following, the team will meet with IDOT/Council to review the scenarios and determine what the future holds!
"From my perspective, it’s a great opportunity to work with our neighbors on an important project. What’s good for the Winnetka side of Hubbard Woods, is good for the Glencoe side and vice versa, and I’d really like to see this be a cohesive business district.”
