Oswego begins comprehensive-plan update as commissioners focus on downtown, riverfront and infrastructure

Consultants from the Lakota Group presented the kickoff of an update to Oswego's comprehensive plan and opened a broad discussion about the village's assets and challenges, with commissioners focusing on downtown walkability, the Fox River and buried infrastructure that could limit future commercial development.

"We're here to just really kick things off with you all," Lakota consultant Saraj Asvahani told the Planning & Zoning Commission as he described a three-phase process the team will use: Phase 1 (assessments and engagement, producing a "State of Oswego" report), Phase 2 (vision and goals) and Phase 3 (actions, partners and funding). The consultants said the project team includes SB Friedman (market analysis), Kimley Horn (transportation and stormwater) and SiteLine Planning (zoning/UDO review), and that outreach already includes stakeholder interviews, a steering committee and planned pop-up events such as the village's Christmas Walk.

Commissioners and long-time residents repeatedly described Oswego's downtown…