August 9, 2004

The post Korean War baby boom left its mark on communities large and small across America. During the mid 1950's through the 1970's, new residential subdivisions sprang-up practically overnight. As these subdivisions matured, a unique paradox developed in our neighborhoods.

At the turn of the millennium, owners upgraded many of these older homes. New owners replaced and upgraded windows, roofs, driveways, siding, doors, landscape, and took other action to upgrade their private property. These older homes looked wonderful after being upgraded.

While the homes are vastly improved, the neighborhoods remained captive to a bygone era. Public streetlights were old, leaning, wooden poles. Street names signs were small and had poor readability at night. Other street signs were faded and their poles were rusted. Public Works sites were bare and stark. Finally, the older subdivisions failed to have the entryway features associated with new residential developments today.

Action needed to be taken to upgrade our public property. While our public amenities were functional, they did not fit the new character of the neighborhood. Private property owners did their part to improve residential neighborhoods, now it was time for the municipality to do our share.

To address these issues, Elk Grove (IL) Village Mayor Craig B. Johnson spearheaded a Residential Enhancement Program. The program was designed to meet several objectives:

• Make our public property as attractive as many private properties to encourage the continued improvements and redevelopment of private housing stock;
• Create a theme unique to the community. This theme builds a sense of identity, a brand-image that installs a sense of pride and belonging for residents; and,
• Enhance the entire residential community at one time so that no neighborhood would feel left behind.

The consulting firm of Planning Resources, Wheaton, Illinois was instrumental in developing the $10 million Residential Enhancement Program. The first step in the process was to inventory all of the public amenities in residential neighborhoods. Village crews identified every sign, pole, street light, and public works property in the community. Once that was accomplished, a plan and program were developed.

The plan included the following features that can be implemented in whole or part by any community:

• Turning a barren public works site into a beautiful Veterans Memorial Fountain and Park located in the heart of the community.
• Installing new streetlights in the residential community. With a large quantity of lights being purchased, the streetlights could be custom deigned for the community. The streetlights are not only decorative, but they enhance public safety. The new streetlights are lower to the ground and below the tree canopy.
• Developing a clock tower and plaza in the existing governmental campus area. The clock tower includes chimes that play on the hour. It anchors the Village Green area of the community which serves as a community gathering place for important events.
• Replacing the old faded street name signs with new signs in a custom frame throughout the residential community. The new street names signs have a custom "Elk" logo that provides a community identity.
• Replacing old, razor wire chain link fences at public works sites with decorative wrought-iron style fencing. Brick pillars and landscaping were also added to soften the appearance of public works sites in residential neighborhoods.
• Installing new landscaping around school parking lots in residential areas. This action served to better integrate the school sites into the existing neighborhood by softening the harsh appearance of the asphalt parking lots.
• Creating entryway features into older subdivisions by installing low-growth landscaping in municipal parkways.
• Turning painted crosswalks into brick paver crosswalks at high pedestrian intersections and school sites. The brick pavers serve to remind drivers that the area serves high pedestrian traffic while providing an attractive amenity in residential neighborhoods.
• Replacing all regulatory signage (stop signs, no parking signs, and the like) in residential areas with brand new signage. The new signs were installed in black frames, on decorative poles, with a finial, and base that included the Village's logo. Signs also meet the new safety standards for size and reflectiveness.
• Finally, landscaping was installed along major public rights-of-way where homes backed up to the roadway. The homes had a hodge-podge of private fence styles, shapes, and landscaping which created a harsh feel for drivers on the roadway. The new landscaping enhanced the visual attraction of the neighborhoods from the roadway and significantly improved the appearance of the residential community.

The Residential Enhancement Program was fully constructed within two years. Planning and engineering took one year while construction took the remaining year.

Home values continue to increase in the community, and nearly 40 percent of the children in the community return to raise their families here. Many residents have commented on the beautiful appearance of the community and recognize the important new safety enhancements that were included in the program.

Elk Grove Village has been recognized locally and nationally since installing these improvements. Chicago Magazine recognized the community as being the "Best Hometown" in our category of housing values. In addition, Relocate-America.com rated Elk Grove Village as one of the top 100 places in the United States in which to relocate.

For additional information, please contact Mayor Craig B. Johnson at (847) 357-4030.