A Tale Of Two Downtowns

TOD, among other things, is credited for the vitality of two downtowns in Illinois.

1 minute read

October 13, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

"Neighboring La Grange and Western Springs have vibrant downtowns and healthy residential markets, but the towns took different paths to arrive there. Downtown La Grange suffered in the 1970s and '80s when shopping malls in outlying towns drew business away. So in the early 1990s village leaders decided to reconceive the downtown. The result is a bustling 9-square-block area with so much traffic that parking has become an issue. In Western Springs, the small downtown never lost its vitality. Though some longtime retailers left, their storefronts were quickly filled. Now village officials are concentrating on a few redevelopment projects and plans to build a new Metra station."

Thanks to Connie Chung

FULL STORY: Downtown vitality: Two tales of transition

Wednesday, October 8, 2003 in The Chicago Tribune

Housing United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.