Village Looks to the Future with East Side Plan

It could be years before development begins in what officials hope will become a thriving . But planning ahead could help attract investors and businesses to the areas, Mayor John Noak said.

Project consultant Teska Associates unveiled the East Side Plan — a vision of potential developments surrounding the future Romeoville Metra station — during a Feb. 29 open house at .

The plan, which will likely be adopted by the village, isn’t just a blueprint for the future East Side, Noak said.

“It allows us to market it to potential investors or people who may want to sell their land,” he explained.

While the residential and retail markets remain sluggish, the plan will provide a boost when things do pick up, the mayor said.

“What the village is trying to do here is be proactive,” he noted.

Providing an idea of what the East Side could look like in 10, 20 or even 30 years, the plan is shaped around the Metra station, slated to be built in 2014 south of the at New Avenue and 135th Street. The plan was crafted with goals in mind including improving local transit and connectivity with Downtown Romeoville.

The East Side Plan was developed with input from a steering committee, transit agencies including Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority, public feedback collected at a community workshop and village staff.

Rooftops, retail and recreation

The plan, as outlined by Teska, calls for residential development as “a core aspect,” with higher density uses like condominiums and duplexes closest to the Metra station and lower density developments — like single family detached homes — farther away.

Unlike an alternative presented at a Dec. 15 open house, the latest draft of the plan would maintain Big Run Golf course as a nine-hole course. The other nine holes would be eliminated to make way for townhomes and single-family developments.

Existing open spaces, including Bambrick Park and the Hine’s emerald dragonfly habitat to the west of the Canadian National railroad tracks, would remain intact. The plan also calls for a network of existing and new trails to enhance connectivity from the East Side to other parts of Romeoville.

But it’s not all about residential development. The East Side Plan also calls for “employment-generating uses” like offices and business parks near the intersection of Smith Road and 135th Street.

According to the draft, the close proximity to the Metra station could benefit employees and create the potential for a vocational school as part of the redevelopment, allowing students from throughout the area to use the rail line to get to education and internship opportunities.

Planning ahead

An analysis of the costs associated with making the plan a reality shows that the redevelopment “has major financial constraints,” according to the draft. The document cites an estimated cost of $10.19 million to provide the infrastructure — including sewer and water — needed to make the East Side Plan feasible.

“[The East Side Plan] allows investors an understanding of what it’s going to take,” Noak said.

Ultimately, the market — and how soon the economy rebounds and development restarts — will determine the timeline for the plan, he said.

“Obviously, right now, there’s very little demand for residential development,” Noak said. “The big trigger will be once the Metra station is complete.”

Village trustees will vote on whether to formally adopt the East Side plan something this month, Noak said. The board’s next meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. March 7 and March 21 at Village Hall.

East Side Plan documents are available by clicking here.