Downtown Block-by-Block

DOWNTOWN BLOCK-BY-BLOCK NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATE | JANUARY 2012

Overnight Parking During Snow Events

2012_snow As part of the parking changes made last fall, the city removed the overnight street parking ban. However, we ask for your cooperation during snow events of 2 inches or more to refrain from parking on the street overnight. Please make your customers, employees and tenants aware.

Also, a reminder that the city's priority following a snow event is clearing roads, public parking lots and the areas around public buildings. Should they have resources available after this priority is met, you may see them clearing sidewalks and other areas in downtown but this would be later in the day. However, we ask that business and property owners aim to clear their sidewalks from property line to curb line by 9AM following an overnight snow event, as this is the time that the majority of downtown is "open for business." This will help to reduce the areas of packed down snow, lessening the chances of it turning to impassable ice, and increasing our downtown's walkability and safety.

For questions or concerns during a snow event, contact the city's 24 hour Snow Command Center by calling 847-931-5977 or by emailing the Snow Command Center at snowcommand@cityofelgin.org. You can also follow live updates during snow events on the city's Facebook page.

What's New in Downtown?

2012_artspace

The following construction projects are underway or will begin this spring. DNA will send regular construction updates on these and other projects in and around downtown when construction season begins. We also host update meetings as needed.

Elgin ArtSpace Lofts

55 live/work lofts for artists and their families

Check out pictures of the construction >

Riverside Drive Promenade

1500 feet of riverwalk and green space between Chicago & Prairie streets

The following new businesses are set to open in the first quarter of 2012:

Fat Cat Custom Guitars & Repair - 57 Douglas
Fat Cat Music Lessons - 63 Douglas
Elgin Knitworks - 17 N Grove
Chooch's Pizzeria - 64 S Grove
Prairie Rock Grill - 200 Prairie

Get Involved!

2011_parade DNA is a volunteer-driven organization. Our board of directors, volunteers and community partners serve on project committees and work with our staff to revitalize downtown. We feel our grass-roots, cooperative approach is an important and powerful asset for our our community. We invite you join us in the revitalization effort by checking out one of our committees.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Goal: To strengthen downtown's existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base.

Meetings: 2nd Thursdays | 10AM | DNA

DESIGN

Goal: To provide programming that enhances the appearance, sustainability and historic preservation of downtown.

Meetings: 2nd Tuesdays | 12PM | DNA

SPECIAL EVENTS & PROMOTIONS

Goal: To promote downtown through cooperative strategies that bring people to downtown and promote its assets.

Meetings: 3rd Fridays | 12PM or 6PM (varies) | DNA

ORGANIZATION

Goal: To build an effective volunteer-driven organization, guided by professional staff, with broad-based public and private sector support.

Meetings: 2nd Fridays | 10AM | DNA

CITY OF ELGIN'S JULY 4TH PARADE
Meetings: February 21, March 13, April 10, May 15, May 29, June 12, June 26, July 17, September 11, November 13

6PM | Elgin Public House

Other volunteer opportunities include:

Special events (Harvest Market, Pub Crawl, DNA Awards Gala, Cruise Nights, Halloween Howl, downtown promotional events and more)
Fundraising
Adminstrative support
Clean-up days
Poster/flyer handouts to businesses

For more information on these volunteer opportunities, please email us or call (847) 488-1456.

For Lease or Sale in Downtown

2011_buritt DNA helps potential businesses and residents find the right space in downtown to fit their needs. If you have available space for lease or sale, please contact us and we will add it to our database. Property owners and realtors may have their properties featured on our new website (coming soon), in new marketing materials and in a downtown available property tour in 2012. Contact us if you are interested in participating.

New Taxes & Fees in 2012

In order to address the city's significant structural deficit, diversify its revenue and reduce its dependence on property tax, the city council established some new taxes and fees that will go into effect in July, 2012. An overview of these changes, as well as videos and other informational content, is available at www.cityofelgin.org/2012budget.

RENEW YOUR DNA MEMBERSHIP OR JOIN DNA IN 2012!

Membership is a critical component of DNA's funding. Members help us to carry out our mission of advocating for and revitalizing downtown through programs, projects and special events.

Annual Membership Rates:

Downtown retail/service business and not-for-profit membership: $185

Downtown full-service restaurant/bar membership: $250

Individual Membership: $30

Family Membership (2 or more people in same household): $50

Community Partnership (businesses and organizations outside downtown): $100

JOIN & PAY ONLINE NOW!

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DOWNTOWN BLOCK AMBASSADORS

Not all areas of downtown have a block ambassador yet. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, please contact us.

Migdalia Bishop

Harris Bank

Dundee between Kimball & Symphony

David Ziegler

Ziegler's Ace Hardware

Kimball between Douglas & Dundee; Spring between Dundee & Symphony

Bill Jones

KJH Insurance

Spring between Chicago & Fulton

Bjorn Rektorli

River Park Place Townhomes

Chris Higgins

FutureLinkIT

Chicago between Douglas & Spring

Jack Kellenberger

Kellenberger Auto

Symphony between Dundee & Douglas

Mike Butirro

Chooch's Pizzeria

S. Grove between Chicago & Fulton

Katie Lange

Fountain Square Condos

Deirdre White

YWCA Elgin

Dundee between Division & DuPage

Ray Maxwell

Elgin Antiques & Uniques

Chicago between Dundee & Spring

Lasse Ingebretsen

Elgin Tech Center

Elgin Tower Building

Wendy Aguilera

Associated Bank

Highland between N. Grove & Spring; Douglas between Chicago & Highland

A R C H I V E S :

October 2011
Block-by-Block Update

November 2011
Block-by-Block Update

December 2011
Block-by-Block Update

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CONTACT DNA

Tonya Hudson

Executive Director

Jason Pawlowski

Promotions Coordinator

Sue Shipyor

Administrative Assistant

Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA)

Elgin Tower Building, 1st flr

2 Douglas Avenue

(847) 488-1456

Fax (847) 488-1449

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday
8:30AM to 5:30PM

Oftentimes our business owners and residents have to contact the city for an issue and don't know who to call. Or, they want to get more connected in the community and are not sure where to start.

Call DNA first. We can help direct your call to the right city staff member or organization and help you find the information you need quickly.

CONNECT WITH US!