Transforming Local Spaces - Wilmette, IL
Photo: Village of Wilmette
Returning to Attractive Places
In September my focus naturally shifts back to places where beauty and community intersect. One great example is Wilmette on the North Shore. And It’s become a personal and professional benchmark for my hometown Glenview’s own downtown revitalization efforts. Recently, I had the chance to revisit this progress through a walking tour sponsored by my DePaul-Municipal Design Network organization, offering insights into Wilmette’s Downtown transformation.
Journey for Progress
Wilmette’s revitalization didn’t happen overnight. Early plans for its suburban downtown redevelopment were first showcased in an event MDRN organized 10 years ago. Now the amazing progress was on full display in our return tour this past month. It was exciting to see how far a community can get with thoughtful design and citizen involvement - and a reminder for neighboring communities that it takes time! Comparing how their new Village Green has now enhanced music events, reminded me of Friends of Downtown Glenview’s (FDG) progress with Blocktoberfest over the past several years!
Picture of Creativity and Community
The key aspects of Wilmette’s revitalization—creative design, attention to detail, and community engagement—are illustrated in this picture of a redesigned alleyway. Once just a service alley, this passageway has been transformed into a lively social hub, complete with landscaping, murals, and colorful lighting. This space now symbolizes how community input and aesthetic enhancements can breathe new life into unused areas. Now hoping to make such progress with some similar Downtown Glenview passageways;)
Celebrating Details and Engagement
During the walking tour, we explored how some other areas have been carefully designed to encourage community gathering and interaction. By creating a historic district, building plans can now reflect local culture. For example, a signage proposal for a popular Cheval restaurant was adapted to fit the historic Railway station. From strategic placement of added green spaces to sidewalk planters, details were considered with the community in mind.
Balancing With Business
Another key takeaway was how Wilmette manages to balance local businesses with national chains, from areas like like Edens Plaza to the Downtown core. This is something Glenview will need to consider in maintaining similar dynamics between The Glen and Downtown. It’s a fine line - but proving possible!
Continuing Height Debate
More technically, one of the most complex aspects for suburban redevelopment is building height. Wilmette has navigated this issue by allowing relatively taller buildings, but with trade-offs like stepbacks and material enhancements to soften the impact. However, noted architectural critic Blair Kamin has pointed out that these design compromises can sometimes reduce the original architectural quality, reminding us of the critical balance.
Public-Private Collaboration
Wilmette’s design strategy was focused and deliberate. Instead of pouring resources into mundane infrastructure upgrades (and hoping businesses would follow) the Village has concentrated on supporting existing businesses. And then enhancing the area with visible, vertical improvements like plants, street furniture, and lighting. Adjacent park areas were adapted to accommodate outdoor dining and public gatherings. Moreover, Village staff works with the private sector to support these efforts, as seen with the local music school involved in organizing outdoor performances.
Power of Public Input
Wilmette’s efforts at gathering public feedback is another key element of its success. By using web polls and community channels, the Village was able to get early input from residents. Almost 70% highlighted green landscaping and outdoor dining as top priorities. This commitment to listening to the community is what makes Wilmette’s revitalization so successful—and why events like the MDRN public walking tour are so valuable for seeing these efforts.
