Revitalizing Downtown Elmhurst
By THOMAS P. BORCHERT, Elmhurst City Manager

Early development of Elmhurst in the late 1800s centered around what is now the Chicago and North Western Railroad west line. This railroad, with its heavy freight and passenger train service, cuts through the City of Elmhurst, a community of slightly over 42,000 people, located approximately 15 miles straight west of downtown Chicago. In the late 1970s through early '80s, community leaders began to confront the many factors that were adversely impacting the downtown area. These factors included aging public and private infrastructure, traffic problems associated with various railroad track crossings, the flight of many quality retail establishments to area shopping malls, and absentee property owners. These and other elements contributed to the slow spiral of downtown deterioration that became obvious through a reduction in vehicular and pedestrian traffic, private properties in the area showing conspicuous signs of neglect, and a growing number of vacancies in retailing, professional and service areas.

A change was imperative. The mayor and city council made a commitment to identify and solve the problems. Volunteers were solicited to assist in the process and, once assembled, were organized by the city council into a advisory commission called the Economic Resources and Services Commission. The commission grew in membership and responsibility, and was eventually changed, through council action, into the current Central Business District Commission. The commission, with the support of city staff and the approval of the city council, requested the DuPage County Planning Department to complete a study of the downtown area to identify problems and possible options, and develop a focused list of goals and objectives.

The effort was successful largely because the mayor and city council, members of the commission, and a number of individuals within the community coordinated their efforts into a focused mission. The effort was solidly supported by the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry that assisted in gaining the support of business and industry leaders. City staff and commission members presented a slide and audio program on the central business district revitalization plan to local church and civic organizations to illustrate what the downtown could become again with community support. In time the project was accepted and the redevelopment plan and project were adopted, a tax increment financing district (T.I.F.) was put in place, and a number of projects were undertaken.

Metra Station

One of the first projects involving downtown renovation was the rehabilitation of the Metra Station - thanks to a full grant from Metra. Elmhurst is indebted to Metra for getting the city started on its redevelopment effort. The city worked with Metra to satisfy specific ridership and transit needs, however, the station was also designed as an attractive pedestrian "people place" integrated with additional downtown parking. The city attempted to recapture the look of Elm hurst's past with ornamental lighting, trees and flowers and areas for people to congregate or wait for a train. The platform itself was extended on both sides of the major north/south street, and a pedestrian underpass and bike racks were added.

The newly remodeled Metra train station in downtown Elmhurst

Revitalizing Downtown The second project involves beautifying downtown open spaces with benches and flowers designed to give people a place to relax and congregate. Every open space under the city's control was filled with flowers. Grass and trees were used to screen parking lots from streets, and benches were installed. People phoned city offices and asked, "Why are you putting benches there? No one is going to sit there," but planners and architects had a vision that has now become a reality. Beautifying the downtown involved a commitment to enhance open spaces, and better maintain public and private properties.

Through the "request for proposal" process, developers were sought who were qualified in mixed use development to assist in the revitalization effort. The first public/private partnership required the assembly of private property by the city which was then sold to the successful developer at a slightly reduced cost. The developer was held to certain standards of development, including the construction of a 90-unit apartment building called Elmhurst Place, constructed close to the commuter railroad tracks, and 9,000 square feet of retail space in the city-constructed parking deck. The apartment project has been successful with all units rented and a steady record of high occupancy rate. Many of the residents in the apartment building are commuters who can easily walk to the train station and take advantage of Elmhurst's other downtown features. This project has boosted downtown pedestrian activity and retail sales, and has also increased ridership on commuter trains.