THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008

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Officials Eye Downtown For More Beautification

By TODD WESSELL

Journal & Topics Editor

City leaders are hoping to step back and consider a more comprehensive approach to beautifying the central business district.

Some plans have either been approved or are about to be put in place. A broader plan encompassing the entire downtown area is what officials hope to look at in the months ahead.

Mike Conlan, Des Plaines' Community Development Dept. director, recently compiled a report entitled "Strategic Initiatives 2008" in which he lays out potential future plans to improve sections of the city. One of the areas Conlan focuses on in his report is downtown streetscaping.

"The downtown streetscape is often considered the community's living room," said Conlan in the report. "Let's face it: despite significant improvements in recent years, much of Des Plaines' 'living room' has elements of 1970s burnt orange and gold shag carpeting. It's time for a makeover."

City Council members have already committed a significant amount of money for downtown improvements including $200,000 for a new electronic message sign at Miner Street and River Road. Another $200,000 is earmarked for central business district sidewalk brick paver maintenance; $225,000 for an underground irrigation system at Metropolitan Square; and $140,000 for an "enabling garden" immediately east of the Des Plaines Public Library building. Other plans include adding new light pole banners and additional greenery and flowers.

"I'm suggesting we take a step back and take a look at the whole downtown," Conlan told the Journal & Topics Newspapers last Friday. "I think we need a more comprehensive look at how we present ourselves along Main Street."

That comprehensive look could include new street furniture and planting schemes.

"We can do a lot more with street lighting and street signs," added Conlan. It has to be done as a coordinated effort so things don't look haphazard. Hopefully, it will be a thoughtful and thought-provoking process."