WHEATON, Ill. – What is your vision for Downtown Wheaton? As the City of Wheaton works to develop a new strategic plan and streetscape plan for the downtown district, it needs your input to craft a new vision. The City encourages you to attend a special community visioning session from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the DuPage County Historical Museum Auditorium, 102 E. Wesley St., to weigh in with your ideas.

To accomplish the City Council’s goal of enhancing economic development in the downtown area, the City contracted with planning/urban design consultant Design Workshop to create a strategic plan and streetscape plan. These two plans aim to establish a vision for Downtown; define boundaries and gateways for the downtown area; connect it with other parts of the city; address parking and streetscape issues; and more.

At the Sept. 18 community visioning session, Design Workshop will present powerpoint slides and presentation boards outlining the findings from its background data analysis and begin to develop a vision for the downtown area. Keypad polling questions posed to attendees will help the community define the overall direction of the planning effort, key issues to focus on, key amenities and features that are desired and related questions regarding the future of the downtown.

Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk said receiving input from all areas of the community is imperative.

“We want to hear from business owners, residents from all parts of Wheaton, downtown tenants, civic leaders, community groups, families, neighborhoods. Everyone’s input is important,” Gresk said. “This is your community and your downtown. The plans for Wheaton’s future should reflect what direction you want the downtown to take.”

Future public meetings will solicit feedback on various plan options and eventually present the final plan. The entire project is anticipated to be complete in early 2013. The City’s website will contain updates about upcoming meetings and the project as it progresses. In addition, the City will send out information to those people who subscribe to the City’s Email Updates. To receive press releases from the City or other information by email, visit www.wheaton.il.us/emailupdates.

If you can’t attend the meeting, visit http://wheaton.mindmixer.com and provide your comments online.

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