Date

September 22, 2014 Agenda Item V

Submitted By Village Managers Office Review: LKS
Tammie Grossman, Director
Development Customer Services

Title
Presentation and Review of Right of Way Enhancement Options for Lake Street between
Harlem Avenue and Euclid Avenue

Synopsis
This is a review of streetscape enhancement options designed by the Lakota Group for Lake
Street through the Downtown Streetscape Advisory Committee connecting Downtown Oak
Park and The Hemingway District. There is no action required during this meeting.
Depending on the consensus during the meeting, staff will prepare action items for a future
regular meeting.

Anticipated Future Actions/ Commitments
Staff will return at the appropriate time with additional information relative to the selection
for further consideration per Village Board direction.

Report
The Fiscal impact range is $10 to $20M. See attached estimated cost analysis.

The Greater Downtown Master Plan includes recommendations for streetscape
enhancements within the three downtown business districts. This process is in keeping with
the implementation schedule addressed within the Plan. This area was recently subject of
an application for TIGER funding which the Village was not awarded. However, we will see at
least two major planned developments occur along Lake Street in the near future, one of
which has been approved for construction with the Marion Street palette being the approved
streetscape enhancement along Lake Street and Forest Avenue. However, if the Board
choses to go in a different direction for streetscape design along Lake Street, the
development will need to be modified accordingly. A streetscape enhancement decision will
set the design standard needed for the development proposed on the Colt property along
Lake Street and provide further direction for the new street design from Lake Street to North
Boulevard.

At their March 15, 2012 regular meeting the Village Board authorized an agreement and scope
of services with the Lakota Group for design services related to the Lake Street Corridor from
Harlem Avenue to Euclid Avenue. At the June 4, 2012 regular meeting, the Village Board
directed staff to form a working committee who would help in the development of various
streetscape scenarios for Board consideration. The Downtown District Streetscape Committee
was formed with the following representatives; Community Design Commissioner, Sharon Snook
(no longer a commissioner); Historic Preservation Chairperson, Christina Morris (no longer on the
St udy Sessi on Repor t
HPC) ; Historic Preservation Alternative, Tony Quinn; Max Williams, Downtown Oak Park; Frank
Heitzman, Downtown Oak Park; Terry McCollom, Downtown Oak Park; Mike Fox, The Hemingway
District; Jim August, The Hemingway District; Gary Niebolo, The Hemingway District; Cara
Pavlicek, Village Manager; John Wielebnicki, Public Works Director; Craig Failor, Village Planner;
Bill McKenna, Engineering; Loretta Daly, Business Services Manager; as needed members were
Jill Velan, Parking; Jim Semelka, Former Forestry Superintendent , and K.C. Doyle, former
Sustainability Manager.

At the Village Boards meeting of January 7, 2013 the Lakota Group and staff presented the
options from the committee who reviewed and analyzed several concepts before concluding with
the four options as well as the results of two surveys. In order to help form the committees
opinion, the committee/consultant conducted an on-line survey, intercept survey and various
walking tours seeking comment from the community, elected officials and business owners. The
January 2013 presentation is attached. It was requested of staff that the plans be reviewed by
the Disability Access Commission. A review by the DAC was conducted on August 20, 2014.

The Downtown Districts Streetscape Committee met with the consultant on seven occasions
to discuss and review the ideas for Lake Street as authorized by the Village Board. In
addition, members also attended tours of the subject street and attended various business
district association meetings.

The Disability Access Commission met on August 20
th
to review the proposed streetscape
improvement for the subject area. Their comments are as follows:
1. Placement of planters, light poles, etc., should be done in such a manner as to allow
the required walkway of five (5) feet absent any tree grates, dissimilar materials and
any other non-level surface amenities.
2. Ensure the curb areas are engineered so as to prevent water or snow buildup within
the crosswalks, especially at the curb where pedestrians step off.
3. There should be no loss of handicap accessible parking spaces along the corridor
and more added if appropriate or available.
4. Bus stops should be accommodated with seating whether a shelter exists or not.
5. In General: Outdoor seating design criteria as well as current approvals should be
reevaluated to ensure adequate walkable paths.
6. In General: The Marion Street and Lake Street intersection should be reviewed as it
can be confusing relative to pedestrian and sometimes vehicular crossing.
7. More time should be allowed for crosswalks.
8. Flashing lights for any midblock improvements should be considered, similar to those
along Roosevelt Road.
9. There wasnt a preference for materials as long as they were flat and durable.

Alternatives
The presentation will provide multiple alternatives for streetscape enhancements. However,
an alternate to those could be to select one defining amenity, such as street lighting to
create a physical connection between the two districts and make necessary repairs where
needed.

Attachments
A. Design Options
B. Cost Analysis
C. Presentation (January 2013)
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois

OAK PARK DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS STREETSCAPE
LAKE STREET



VILLAGE BOARD PRESENTATION




THE LAKOTA GROUP

Village of Oak Park | January 7, 2013
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
PROCESS
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
PROCESS TO DATE
Kick-off Walking Tour
6 Advisory Committee Meetings
Post Construction Discussion with Pleasant District
Business Association
4 Public Walking Tours
Online Survey 169 Participants
Intercept Surveys 114 Participants
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
ONLINE

63% Only Live in Oak Park
4% Only Work in Oak Park
31% Live and Work in Oak Park
2% Neither Live nor Work in Oak Park
INTERCEPT

49% Only Live in Oak Park
10.5% Only Work in Oak Park
17.5% Live and Work in Oak Park
23% Neither Live nor Work in Oak Park
Intercept Survey Locations
46 at Farmers Market
45 at Lake/Marion Intersection
12 at Lake/Oak Park Intersection
7 at Lake/Kenilworth Intersection
4 at South/Marion Intersection
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
3
23
29
23
17 17
20
24
12
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
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t

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6

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1
0

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e
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s
1
1

t
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1
5

y
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s
1
6

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s
3
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>
4
0

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s
ONLINE: YEARS LIVED IN OAK PARK
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
ONLINE: HOW OFTEN DO YOU VISIT DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS?
0.6%
2.4%
5.9%
17.8%
18.3%
40.2%
14.8%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
Never A few
times a
year
About
once a
month
A few
times a
month
About
once a
week
Several
times a
week
Every day
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
ONLINE: RATING AND RANKING BY AREA
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
ONLINE: RATING AND RANKING BY AREA
-2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
8. Harlem Avenue
4. Lake Street Central
7. Oak Park Avenue South
6. Oak Park Avenue North
3. Lake Street West
5. Lake Street East
2. Marion Street South
1. Marion Street North
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
WHAT IMPACT HAVE THE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS TO NORTH/SOUTH
MARION MADE FOR YOU?
3%
29%
67%
1%
Less likely to visit
No change.
More likely to visit
Not familiar with
the project
\\
7%
33%
39%
21%
Less likely to visit
No change
More likely to visit
Not familiar with
the project
\\
ONLINE INTERCEPT
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
WHAT ROLE DOES THE APPEARANCE & STREETSCAPE PLAY IN YOUR
ENJOYMENT OF A SHOPPING AREA?
ONLINE INTERCEPT
4%
12%
13%
48%
23%
Very little role
Little role
Neutral/no role
Large role
Very large role
\\
7%
6%
18%
37%
32%
Very little role
Little role
Neutral/no role
Large role
Very large role
\\
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
DO YOU THINK THE VILLAGE SHOULD PURSUE MAKING STREETSCAPE
IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
ONLINE INTERCEPT
75%
21%
4%
Yes
No
No opinion
70%
18%
12%
Yes
No
No opinion
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
SURVEY RESULTS
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS BEST REFLECTS YOUR FEELINGS
ABOUT ADDITIONAL STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS?
60%
23%
0%
4%
10%
3%
I like the recent improvements on Marion and support
similar improvements elsewhere.
I am okay with making improvements.
I have no opinion.
I do not understand the need for making improvements.
I do not see a benefit to making improvements.
I am opposed to making improvements of any kind.
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
GENERAL INPUT
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
WALKING TOUR FEEDBACK
ONLINE

Keep character unique to Oak Park
Think about long-term maintenance
Support tourism where possible
Highlight Lake Theater special anchor of the Downtown
Support outdoor dining/seating
Create strong entrance/gateway at Lake & Harlem
Character and pedestrian improvements at all intersections
More seating opportunities needed
More variety in plantings only trees and annuals now
Think about integrating sustainability
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
PRELIMINARY GEOMETRY
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
GEOMETRY
FOCUS OF PROCESS

Identify opportunities to improve
Pedestrian/bicycle conditions & amenities
Circulation
Create opportunities for placemaking/unique features
Evaluate & balance parking
Test geometric concepts independent of materials
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
GEOMETRY
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
GEOMETRY
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
GEOMETRY
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
GEOMETRY
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
NEXT STEPS
Present special amenity concepts that have been developed &
refined with the Advisory Committee
Develop & refine a range of material palette options
Evaluate cost/maintenance/sustainability
Presentation & discussion with Village Board on options
Prepare & refine streetscape master plan with Advisory Committee
Presentation to Village Board for comment/approval
Oak Park Downtown Districts Streetscape
Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois


Q U E S T I O N S