community visioning workshop #1 overview workshop agenda summary... · 2020. 4. 20. · community...

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

http://university-park-il.com/community/community_visioning/


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


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


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


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


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

community visioning workshop #1 overview workshop agenda summary... · 2020. 4. 20. · community...

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