Streetscape Improvement Plan

The Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan envisions a variety of short- and long-term projects aimed at transforming the area into a safer, more accessible, and vibrant destination. The plan serves as a strategic jumping-off point to guide future investments in infrastructure, design, and public space enhancements. The Village Board approved the Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan Final Report at the Village Board Work Session Meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Project Study AreaVillage Market Study Area

Project Objectives

The Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan was developed around the following outcomes:
  • Create a sense of place – Recommend streetscape elements, such as signage, landscaping, lighting, seating/furnishings, public art, and other enhancements, to improve gateways and wayfinding and provide a more comfortable and pleasant environment for pedestrians.
  • Promote accessibility – Identify and facilitate better and more accessible routes between Village Market and nearby residential neighborhoods, community facilities, parks and open space, and public transit stations. The plan should include strategies for improving the pedestrian connection between Village Market and the residential areas west of La Grange Road.
  • Enhance mobility and safety – Identify intersection enhancements, crossings, sidewalks, public transit facilities (bus stops and shelters), and other complete streets elements. The plan should recommend traffic calming methods at crosswalks and other points of pedestrian access, particularly along La Grange Road.
  • Reinforce environmental sustainability – Consider stormwater management and energy conservation in streetscape recommendations. The plan should also recommend ways to integrate electric vehicle charging stations into Village-owned and private parking areas.
  • Engage the community and key stakeholders – Involve residents, business owners, and other community stakeholders in the planning process and integrate their feedback into the vision, concepts and recommendations, and prioritization of strategies. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will also be engaged throughout this process to ensure that the plan’s recommendations for La Grange Road are feasible.
  • Provide a roadmap for implementation and funding – Prioritize recommendations, identify clear implementation steps, and include potential funding sources for the recommended improvements. The plan should indicate which projects are TIF eligible and also list relevant grant opportunities

Streetscape Vision

Project Idea Purpose Recommendations
La Grange Road Improvements Improve safety, calm traffic, and enhance walkability along the Village’s main commercial corridor. • Raised medians with pedestrian refuges
• Curb extensions to shorten pedestrian crossings
• Upgraded transit stops and pedestrian-scale lighting
• High-visibility crosswalk enhancements

Pedestrianize Woodlawn Enhance connectivity and public space by reimagining Woodlawn as a pedestrian-priority corridor. • Shared street or flexible-use plaza with curbless design, overhead lighting, and seating opportunities
• Right-in/right-out vehicle access or raised crosswalks
• Alternative concept: additional traffic signal at to improve access, safety, and reduce vehicle speeds

District Branding & Identity Establish a cohesive visual identity and sense of place throughout the corridor. • Branded gateway signage at key entry points
• Coordinated banners, furnishings, and landscaping
• Public art and placemaking installations
• Enhanced pedestrian wayfinding signage

Sherwood Community Green Street Introduce sustainability and traffic calming into a local residential connector. • Reconfigure Sherwood & Homestead intersection for safer crossings (“Paint and Post” project)
• Shift on-street parking to the west side of Sherwood
• Add bump-outs, chicanes, and other traffic-calming features
• Use ground murals and on-street markings to reinforce pedestrian priority
• Integrate green stormwater infrastructure at key intersections

Community Engagement

Residents, businesses, and other community stakeholders were invited to participate in the planning process by attending public input meetings and completing a community survey.

Public Meeting #1 - Kickoff Event 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
La Grange Park Public Library, 555 N. La Grange Road 
The Village hosted a public event to kick off the Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan on Tuesday, May 3 at the La Grange Park Public Library with approximately 50 residents in attendance. The event included a presentation, live polling, and an interactive mapping activity.

Community Survey

Monday, April 25, 2022 (Open) - Friday, May 20, 2022 (Closed)
Hard copy surveys available upon request
The community survey asked about your experiences traveling to, from, and within the project study area, and closed with about 650 responses. In addition, approximately 100 “pins” were added to an online map identifying particular issues or challenges at and around Village Market.

Public Meeting #2 - Open House

Wednesday, September 7, 2022, 6:00-8:00 p.m. 
La Grange Park Public Library, 555 N. La Grange Road 
The Village hosted a public open house on Wednesday, September 7 at the La Grange Park Public Library. This event included a series of informative and interactive engagement stations to give community members an opportunity to provide input on potential streetscape designs.

Public Meeting Photos

  1. 1 Presentation 01
  2. 2 Breakout Groups 02
  3. 3 Breakout Groups 11
  4. 4 Slido 01
  5. 5 Open House 01
  6. 6 Open House 02

Final Report

  1. Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan FINAL REPORT MARCH 2023

Presentations

  1. Steering Committee Meeting #4 - Presentation (February 28, 2023)
  2. Public Meeting #2 - Open House (September 7, 2022)
  3. Steering Committee Meeting #3 - Presentation (August 23, 2022).pdf
  4. Steering Committee Meeting #2 - Presentation (May 27, 2022).pdf
  5. Public Meeting #1 - Kickoff Event Presentation (May 3, 2022).pdf

Project Documents

  1. Village of La Grange Park_Streetscape Improvement Plan_RFP Final.pdf
  2. Pre-Proposal Meeting PPT 20211117.pdf
  3. Pre-Proposal Sign-In Sheet 20211117.pdf
  4. Pre-Proposal Meeting Q&A.pdf
  5. Sam Schwartz Proposal.pdf