Post on 13-Oct-2020
transcript
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Overview On February 29, University Park residents, village staff, elected representatives, and other stakeholders from the Village participated in a Community Visioning Workshop to discuss their priorities and vision for the future of their community. After a brief introduction from Mayor Roudez and Village Manager Beck-Fulgham, participants divided into rotating groups to discuss five different topic areas, including: Housing and Neighborhoods; Economic Development; Parks and Natural Areas; Transportation; and Community Vision. Each group was given a map of existing assets, sticky notes, and poster boards as tools for discussion and were encouraged to circle, write, or highlight areas on the map in need of improvements in order to create a list of priorities. As the workshop progressed key projects and priorities began to emerge. The feedback gathered throughout this workshop will be used to inform current and future planning initiatives including the Community Vision Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and others. For more information visit the Village’s Community Visioning webpage:
university-park-il.com/community/community_visioning/
Workshop Agenda
1. Sign-In and Breakfast
2. Opening Remarks
3. Community Visioning Overview
4. Break Out Table Sessions
5. Key Findings Report Out
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Housing and Neighborhoods Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Family-oriented community
Affordable single-family homes are plentiful
Many long-standing residents and families live hear
Residents are passionate, engaged, and care about their community
The Village has an active Community Block Club that meets once a week
The current Homeowners Association is managed by a third-party entity
High property taxes
Many empty lots and vacant properties
Some homes need repair or improvements
There is a lack of smaller group meeting spaces (e.g., coffee shops)
The library’s community meeting space needs improvements
Find a way to hold landlords responsible for long-term renters
Host a home ownership training seminar at Village Hall to encourage residents and current renters to buy homes
Partner with and encourage ComEd to maintain the trees surrounding their utility lines
There is an opportunity to replace trees throughout the residential areas though Morton Arboretum
Add more recreational areas near residential areas
Residents are interested in a Club House for residential areas
Residents would like to take control of the Homeowners Association and to pursue leadership roles
Many homes are bank or LLC-owned and absentee owners and landlords are difficult to track down
Poor condition of roadways throughout the residential areas
The City Scape Development is currently incomplete, and it is not clear why
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Economic development
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats A thriving industrial park (i.e.,
I-57 Industrial Corridor) Governors State University
(“GSU”) is now a four-year, residential university with a growing student population
The University Park Metra
Station is an asset for residents of University Park, Will County, and region
The Village Board passed an
ordinance that enables a responsible cannabis industry (e.g., cultivation, processing, dispensing)
The Village has several TIFs,
Enterprise Zones, and other special funding districts that can support business expansion and new development opportunities
More business-friendly tax
environment than neighboring Cook County
Lack of basic services (e.g., café, grocery store, auto shop, laundromat, dry cleaner, restaurants, local bank branch, and more), especially in the Town Center area
The Town Center area is largely vacant and appears blighted
Lack of (indoor and outdoor)
activities for youth in the community
Attract businesses in the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (“TD&L”) industry where University Park excels
Incremental redevelopment of the Town Center including a farmer’s market and auto shop
Mixed-use Transit-Oriented Development (“TOD”) opportunities near the Metra station and GSU
The Village received RTA support to update the Village’s TOD plan
Expand responsible cannabis
industry or cluster in the Village’s I-57 Industrial Corridor
Interest in a hydroponics facility
South Suburban Airport (SSA) New commercial and industrial
development along Cicero Avenue
Retail leakage and lost tax revenue to surrounding areas
Challenges recruiting top talent for GSU faculty and staff
Decreasing transit ridership
could lead to service reductions along the Metra Electric Line
Flooding around the Metra
Station Area
Ongoing concerns about the Aqua Water issue and the Aqua’s handling of the situation
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Parks and Natural Space Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Residents have access to several community parks and natural areas (e.g., Nathan Manlow Sculpture Park, Pine Lake, Heritage Park, Palmer Park, and more)
There is a trail system throughout the community
Access to the Will County Forest Preserves (e.g., Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve)
Great access to outdoors (e.g.,
population with park access of 10+ acres/1000 residents = 50%)
Annual community restoration
event at Pine Lake Solvay Citizens Day
Some parks have been neglected and need rehabilitation (e.g., Riegel Farm, Pine Lake Park, Hitchcock Aquatic Center)
The trails have been degraded and need to be repaired and widened
Deteriorating and overgrown
trail systems particularly near Loretta Scott King Middle School
Relatively high-water demand
(e.g., daily residential water demand per capital = 104.1 gallons)
Sprawling residential pattern of
land use Communication of what trails
and natural areas are available to residents
Fees for existing programs are
too high
Create a Village Park District or Department that require background checks for staff.
Expand connections through the community and region through bike lanes, trails, and walking paths
Improve trails near GSU to
improve connectivity between campus and the community
Restore Pine Lake’s natural
habitat and expand and improve amenities (e.g., shelters, bathrooms, docks, trails, gathering spaces)
Reopen Hickock Aquatic Center as a pool or splash pad
Revitalize and reopen Riegel
Farm as a multi-use facility with meeting space, community farm, and programs for people of all ages and abilities
Neglected parks and vacant areas can contribute to neighborhood blight and crime
Flooding throughout
community (Sandra Drive and Burnham Drive)
Invasive species
Dead and dying trees create a
liability (e.g., damage due to fallen trees) for property owners and the Village
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Transportation Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Access to I-57
Metra Station and its 11,000-space parking lot
Pace Bus service (Bus # 367)
GSU Jaguar Shuttle
The Village adopted a Complete Streets and Green Infrastructure ordinance
The Village is actively pursuing
(and winning) a variety of local, state, and federal funding opportunities to implement transportation improvements (e.g., RTA Community Planning Support, STP-L, STP-Shared Funding, Grade Crossing Protection Fund, and others)
Poor road conditions (e.g., Amherst Lane, Abbot Lane, Harvest Lane, Burnham Drive, Loves Lane, Dralle Rd, Central Ave, Bond St, Hamilton Ave, Olmstead, Farmview, Blackhawk, and others)
Limited road and pedestrian-scaled lighting
University Parkway and
Governors Highway crossing safety issues
Huge potholes near the CN
rail crossing pose a major safety concern
Poor walkability (e.g., walk
score = 15/100
Poorly maintained biking and walking trails
Metra Station Reconstruction Project
Multiple Federal Aid (FA) Routes that are eligible for STP other federal funding programs (e.g., I-57, University Pkwy / Stuenkel Rd)
Illinois Trails Program has available
funding to resurface trails
Clean emission bus ordinance
Expand bus service to include the industrial area and other major locations throughout the Village
Additional bus shelters could be
added at key locations (i.e., University Pkwy and Western Ave)
Pace Short Stop Buses could help
to bridge last-mile gaps
Metra and Bus schedules should be posted on the Village website
Safe Routes to School program
funding could be used to add sidewalks near the High School
Deferred maintenance can lead to costly infrastructure projects
Metra oversight of the Metra
Station reconstruction could lead to a sub-standard project; the Village should maintain local control of the project
Flooding issues need to be
addressed through the forthcoming Metra Station Reconstruction Project
Traffic delays, injury, and
deaths due to unresolved safety issues
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Community Visioning
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Great location and
transportation advantages (e.g., I-57, Metra Station, Cicero Ave, University Parkway)
Affordable homes Community events (e.g., Solvay
Citizens Day, Back to School Celebration, Youth Activities)
Strong and cohesive community
(e.g., school pride, churches, community events)
Passionate and engaged
residents Beautiful, relaxing, and tranquil
environment Broad mix of housing (single
family, condos, townhomes, apartments)
Concerns about increasing crime in the area
Vacant and abandoned homes Food desert Lack of a clearly identifiable
Town Center
High rates of social vulnerability (see Social Vulnerability Index)
Shortage of available senior
housing facilities
Outdated TV Station in need of upgrades
Lack of local volunteer
opportunities presented to residents
General distrust of local
government due to past events and experiences
Village marketing campaign (e.g., “One Village, One Vision” Campaign; “A great community to Live, Work, Play, Learn, and Grow”)
Demolish blighted and vacant
properties and rehabilitate for a new use (e.g., new homes, community gardens, parks)
Make University Park a “green”
and “healthy community” Riegel Farm Revitalization (e.g.,
community space, urban farm, meeting rooms, education, tennis courts, basketball, trails)
Promote the area’s workforce
and support local hiring and job training programs
Create jobs for students during
the summer months Create a “Suggestion Box” at
Village Hall and add to the Village’s website
Crime and the perception of crime could deter potential residents, businesses, and visitors
Population is growing at a slower rate than other areas in Will County
Unresolved water issues could deter potential residents and businesses
The Aqua Water Crisis and
Aqua’s handling of the situation could harm the community
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
SUMMARY Saturday, February 29, 2020 Community Visioning Workshop #1 10:00 am – 12:00 pm