Downtown Plans Presented

January 4, 2010 - Morton, IL - At the Village Council Meeting today, Jennifer Daly, CEO for the Morton Economic Development Council; Jeff Keach, Architect and Owner of Keach Architectural Designs; and Bruce Brown, Landscape Designer with The Farnsworth Group presented building façade and streetscape design options created by local designers for Morton’s downtown. 

“Morton’s Comprehensive Plan makes it clear that a renovation and upgrade of our downtown district is a priority to our citizens,” said Daly.  “These drawings are a first step to helping us create that new vision.”

Seven architects and designers who reside in Morton including Jeff Keach with Keach Architectural Designs, Bruce Brown with the Farnsworth Group, Rob Lamberson with the Farnsworth Group, Bill Aupperle with Aupperle Construction, Jim Roecker with AECOM, Nate Parrott with AECOM, and Sarah Joos with AECOM, worked together to create the façade and streetscape plan with input from downtown business and building owners during a charette planned by the Morton EDC in September.  The final drawings were presented to the downtown business and building owners in November for their input.  “These designers donated their time and design skills to help us create a vision for our downtown,” said Daly.  “We are so lucky to have people with this level of talent who have a desire to help us improve our community.”

The completed plans include building facades and a streetscape for Main Street that begins at Jefferson Street and ends at Adams.   “The architects only had time to complete one block and they felt that was the best block to use as an example,” said Daly.  “They really liked a few of the buildings on Main Street including the two-story building on the corner of Main and Jefferson so they used that historical style on the other buildings along that block.”

The streetscaping plan includes an elevated intersection at the corner of Main and Adams.  “This type of intersection has become pretty common in historic downtowns,” said Daly.  “It slows down traffic and creates a much more pedestrian friendly crosswalk.”  The plan also includes a more defined parallel parking plan along the street and wider sidewalks that could accommodate outdoor cafes.

“It is important to remember that this is just a first concept,” said Daly.  “We know we will continue to make changes as new ideas are presented.  It is a good place to start.”