City news
Community-Informed Downtown Design to Be Presented at Mosaic Market
After nearly a year of community engagement, the Downtown Modernization & Beautification Project is reaching an important milestone.
Community members are invited to visit the Downtown Modernization & Beautification Project booth during Mosaic Market on Thursday, June 18, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to view the design developed from the feedback gathered through surveys, public meetings, stakeholder discussions, and other engagement opportunities conducted throughout the past year.
Since the project launched in August 2025, the City has worked to gather input from residents, business owners, property owners, and visitors to help shape the future of downtown West Chicago. More than 300 survey responses were received in the fall of 2025, approximately 110 community members attended the Public Open House in January 2026, and City staff met with downtown business and property owners on multiple occasions to discuss project priorities and opportunities. Community feedback highlighted a desire to celebrate West Chicago’s history and Latino heritage and culture while enhancing downtown with features such as decorative pavement, shade trees, wayfinding signage, gathering spaces, outdoor dining opportunities, and improved pedestrian amenities.
The design being presented at Mosaic Market reflects these community priorities while advancing the project’s goals of improving safety, accessibility, infrastructure, and the overall downtown experience. Planned improvements include enhancements to sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, landscaping, streetscape features, and underground infrastructure that will help support downtown businesses, community events, and future investment.
Project team members will be available throughout the event to answer questions, explain how community input influenced the design, and discuss the next steps in the process.
The June 18 presentation marks the completion of a significant phase of public engagement and design development. While attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and share initial reactions, future public engagement opportunities will focus on aesthetic elements as the project advances toward final design.
The Downtown Modernization & Beautification Project focuses on Main Street from Washington Street to Wilson Avenue and Turner Court from Washington Street to Main Street. The project is supported in part by a $2 million Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets grant from the State of Illinois and is guided by the West Chicago Forward Comprehensive Plan and Central-Main Street Revitalization Plan Update.
Residents, business owners, property owners, and visitors are encouraged to stop by the project booth during Mosaic Market to see how a year of community input has been translated into a vision for the future of downtown West Chicago.