Plans to revamp streetscapes and sidewalks in The Glen in Glenview now are officially in the works.
A final site plan for the $3 million project slated to begin next spring won final approval from Glenview village trustees just three weeks after trustees gave it their unanimous preliminary approval.
Village trustees in May agreed to rebuild stretches of The Glen’s streetscape, even though it’s only 12 years old, because officials said sidewalks have been damaged by annual freezing/thawing cycles. They also say trees have been stunted by disease and salt and basins have proven too small for adequate growth.
The project, which also includes new, bigger signs at The Glen’s entrances at Patriot Boulevard and both Lake Avenue and Willow Road, won unanimous approval from the village’s plan commission on Aug. 11 and from the appearance commission one day later.
According to village plans, the new 20-foot LED entrance signs at the intersections of Patriot Boulevard and Willow Road, and Patriot and Lake Avenue will keep a subtle historic nod to the site’s former life as the Glenview Naval Air Station: the two trios of blue landing lights.
The landing lights and new signs will essentially trade places, village plans show. The new signs will have eight slots for store names instead of the current four and incorporate what officials said are subtle changes to The Glen’s logo.
Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2016 and last through September 2016, officials said.
Among problems Planning Director Jeffrey Brady cited earlier this year along Tower Drive, Aviator Lane, Valor Lane, Wolverine Drive and Navy Boulevard were sidewalks cracking and heaving where saw-cuts were made for aesthetic reasons and where granite pavers were placed around tree trunks, creating tripping hazards and occasionally tilting rainwater toward buildings instead of curbs.
He said the popularity of outdoor dining also meant restaurants are using larger tables, which forces pedestrians to walk on granite pavers lining tree pits, which further damages those pavers.
Pits where trees were planted also are too small for continued growth and fail to allow proper dilution of salt laid on sidewalks during winters, Brady said.
Problems also include, he said, irrigation and electrical systems that have deteriorated because they were residential-grade instead of commercial.
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The reconstruction is being designed for a 20- to 30-year life span using current streetscape design “best practices” including separating plants and trees from the sidewalk with raised landscaping beds, and replacing brick pavers with stamped concrete similar to areas near the Glenview Metra/Amtrak station and crosswalks throughout downtown, officials said.
Sidewalks will be rebuilt and extended two feet into the angled parking spaces, allowing for more sidewalk space, especially near outdoor dining areas, according to village plans.
All rebuilt areas will comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, officials said.
Project costs will be covered by The Glen Capital Projects Fund, a tax increment financing district. Officials said annual tax revenue from The Glen will pay for the project in two and a half years.
Jon Davis is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.