North Second/Illinois 251 Redevelopment Project

As the subscribers of my free newsletter know the Loves Park City Council has been working on revitalizing the North Second Corridor. We approved last year hiring a consultant to study and develop a TIF proposal. This was the same consulting firm that developed the 173 Corridor TIF District for Machesney Park. Recently a new firm has taken this project over and they are finalizing the proposal. A preliminary meeting was held for the public, Community Development Committee and other elected City Officials to view possible visions of the corridor. Photos of properties enhanced by vegetation and facade changes along with adding open spaces, parking and pedestrian friendly amenities (bike racks, bus shelters, benches, ect.). Those who attended the meeting liked what they saw and had a lot of comments and praise. Surveys were sent to those in attendance to fill out and return to the city. We have received many responses and look forward to the next steps.

Bus stop at Riverside and N. Second. A bus shelter was added along with a bench, trash receptacle, vegetation and new cement work with inlaid brick asphalt design. Notice the new facade on the building

Signage is a big deal! Look at the signage before then after also notice inlaid brick asphalt cross walks and vegetation.

Inlaid cross walks, reduced signage, added vegetation and similar facade. These improvements are small and fairly inexpensive, but have a high impact on the N. Second Corridor.

Multiple occupant buildings combine facades with added vegetation. With the help of the TIF these simple examples could be accomplished.

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There are many more examples along with discussions on public parking areas and parks; the possibilities are almost endless.

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The Community Development Committee that I sit on met Last night, Wed., May 24, 2006 to get an update on the progress of the TIF and discuss possibilities for commercial layouts along with other attributes for the corridor.

Our committee will also start meeting regularly to discuss design standards, commercial layouts, pedestrian mall/walkways and any all items pertaining to this corridor. We were told that if the progress of the TIF District continues we could have it in place by the end of the year.

This District will help Loves Park and the many other taxing districts that it lies within. I know that public input is very important and I continue to strive to involve and inform you of what is going on here in Loves Park; if you have any questions or suggestions for the TIF contact me and I would be more than happy to talk with you.