Proposed Ottawa plan update tabs likely development areas

Three prime areas of development opportunity in Ottawa are explored in a proposed update to the city’s comprehensive plan.

The update was presented at a public hearing Monday during a special meeting of the Ottawa Plan Commission by veteran planner Mike Hoffman of Teska Associates in Plainfield.

The areas are the downtown riverfront, the Norris Drive (U.S. 6) corridor and the Interstate 80/ Route 71 interchange.

With the downtown riverfront, Hoffman termed the long-standing plan that calls for a large riverside green area with an outdoor entertainment venue “nice and beautiful, but fairly expensive.”

To save on development costs from earlier versions a proposed marina was dropped in exchange for riverside piers. There still would be an amphitheater, open lawn and stage.

The update also calls for a combined commercial and residential building for the Jordan block southwest of Main and Columbus streets.

Plan Commission Chairman Brent Barron was skeptical of that proposal.

“The people in this town like that block open,” Barron said.

In all, Hoffman estimated the riverfront project could be reduced from the $27 million to $30 million down to $10 million to $14 million.

The Norris Drive corridor (U.S. 6) runs both east and west from Columbus Drive (Route 23). The proposed update said the roadway “is in a transitional phase with a mix of aging commercial use and new or updated commercial uses” with minimal landscaping.

Hoffman’s recommendations includes a bike lane with connections to the Illinois and Michigan Canal trail. Also recommended are islands to restrict dangerous turns and visual enhancements including trees, decorative lighting, light pole banners and additional directional signage.

The update also suggests the intersect of Norris and Columbus be the site of a gateway marker.

“This intersection is the first major intersection that people drive through as they head into downtown, so it’s important that this intersection make a good first impression,” the update said.

• The I-80 / Route 71 interchange — now served by city sewer and water lines — is expected to see development from the current gas stations and other businesses that serve car and truck traffic. The update envisions both commercial and residential developments on spreading out in every direction from the interchange.
• “Hotels and restaurants would be the obvious opportunities” as well as other commercial and residential development, according to the proposal.
• Barron predicted Route 71 would be expanded from two to four lanes in five years.
• The update also proposes a bike trail be installed along Route 71 that would connect the I&M Canal trail with the area’s Dayton Bluffs Preserve.
• The plan commission is scheduled to vote on the update at its regular meeting Feb. 28. If it is approved it will be sent to the City Council for consideration.