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Council directs staff to proceed with Neal Street beautification strategy design concepts; larger road‑diet planning continues
Summary
Council heard an update on the Neal Street Corridor Beautification Strategy and polled to direct staff to implement the strategy’s design concepts now while coordinating with the longer‑range engineering study for a potential road diet; the poll passed 7–0.
Senior planner Jeff Marino presented the Neal Street Corridor Beautification Strategy update and asked the council for direction to continue implementing corridor beautification concepts while the city’s phase‑1 preliminary design report evaluates larger geometric changes to the roadway.
The decision matters because Neal Street is a major city entryway connecting the interstate to downtown; the corridor plan aims to improve safety, walkability and the corridor’s identity while the engineering study will examine a potential three‑lane (road diet) cross section and other reconstruction elements.
Jeff Marino reviewed the history: Neal Street improvements were identified in the 1992 comprehensive plan and advanced in a 2018 Neal Street Corridor Improvement Plan adopted by council. The city later secured state funds and approved a $750,000 contract in January 2024 for a planning process led by a consultant (Fairgram) to prepare a phase‑1 preliminary design report including lane geometrics and curb realignment. Marino said the beautification strategy prepared with consultant Lamar Johnson identifies four corridor zones, five subareas and proposals such as 16‑foot gateway landmark signs, wayfinding and informational signage, banners, new benches, landscaping and landscape islands. Marino said some beautification elements can be installed ahead of — or incorporated into — the larger reconstruction work.
Council members and residents asked about geographic extent, inclusion of neighborhoods south of downtown, coordination with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) projects, costs, branding and pedestrian/bicycle accommodations. Council member Beck asked whether the study includes the southern portion of Neal Street; staff replied the current planning process covers the corridor north of downtown and that IDOT is planning a maintenance overlay south of downtown that would not change cross sections. Staff noted opportunities to coordinate with IDOT projects so the city can follow with reconstruction or beautification.
Resident speakers raised design priorities and concerns: Nancy Holder asked that the plan retain elements of the 2018 “green ribbon” concept emphasizing neighborhood buffers, pedestrian safety and children; Maya Novick and others asked how proposed spending would benefit everyday users and whether designs would prioritize safety and access for pedestrians and bicyclists. Marino said wayfinding and branding work was subcontracted to a branding firm and that the phase‑1 preliminary design report will include a public open house this summer and a follow‑up study session near the end of the year.
Council polled the item and directed staff to proceed with implementation of the design concepts in the beautification strategy while addressing council comments; council recorded a 7–0 poll in favor. Staff said the city has budgeted funds in fiscal 2028 for construction and that cost estimates in the conceptual strategy ranged from about $1.5 million to $2.5 million depending on scope. Marino and staff will include public engagement in upcoming design steps.
Ending: Staff will host public engagement this summer tied to the phase‑1 preliminary design report and will return to council later in the year with detailed schematic recommendations and cost breakdowns for implementation.
