It has been eight years since Blue Island leaders agreed to a redevelopment project for a 2-mile stretch of Western Avenue, the town’s main thoroughfare. Now, the city is preparing the second portion of the plan.
The plan is to beautify, upgrade and add green spaces along Western Avenue between 119th Street and 135th Street. The portion between 135th and the Little Calumet River was recently completed. Now, a 3/4-miles stretch from the river to 127th street will be upgraded, 4th Ald. Bill Fahrenwald explained.
“What you’ll see will have a very similar look and feel down to what we’ve done already down south of the canal,” Fahrenwald said.
This includes adding planters for trees and ornamental vegetation, improving pedestrian access, installing distinctive lighting, signage and landscaping and improving facades.
More Top Picks Honeywell Hl10ceswk
New sidewalks and A-frame caution signs signify the recent completion of the first part of the redevelopment project. Fahrenwald said some residents would like to see Western Avenue become a two-way street again in the stretch between the river and 127th street, but doubts the Illinois Department of Transportation would agree to the change.
The redevelopment project is expected to cost $21 million to be paid for by a tax of between 0.25% and 1% on profits made over several years by businesses along the corridor, including restaurants that sell food and drink, and hotels, according to the planning document. This small tax caused it to take a long time to accumulate funds for the project, and government inspections and lengthy discussions among city leaders and the public also delayed the program by almost a decade, Fahrenwald said.
Mayor Fred Bilotto and the six other aldermen did not return calls regarding the project.
Business owners in the area said they are hopeful the city’s investment in the walkways, traffic patterns and store front beautification will lead to more customers, though one business manager said the work reduced foot traffic when people were unsure whether stores were open because of the construction out front.
On the opposite side of where the first phase was completed on Old Western Avenue, the owner of B*U*B Cafe said the development went by quickly.
“I am excited for everybody here: for Front Row, for all of the other businesses to have an experience of a new beautiful business district,” said Geena Doherty. “There are four new businesses opening up on this block alone.”
The development just north of the river up to 127th Street is still in the early discussion phase and many of the businesses were not aware of the plans.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t know!” said Monica Gavin, a manager for Edible Passport Restaurant & Bar. “I’m very happy to hear that.”
Gavin said there is always a concern development will reduce foot traffic and business as a whole. But she is confident.
“I think that they are pretty loyal customers so I would think hopefully it wouldn’t impact business, hopefully,” she said.