April 23, 2024
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Joliet seeks input on downtown square

Public can weigh in on design elements

By Bob Okon
Multiple renderings were on display for the City of Joliet proposed downtown plaza open house at the Joliet Public Library on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023.

Multiple renderings were on display for the City of Joliet proposed downtown square during an open house at the Joliet Public Library on February 23.. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)

The city of Joliet has launched an online survey to collect public opinion on features for the future square to be built downtown.

The survey will be open until June 9. The link to access the survey is at Joliet.gov/CitySquare, where information is available about the city square project.

The square is to be built by 2026 at Chicago and Clinton streets, across from the Rialto Square Theatre.

The parking lot across from the Rialto Square Theatre at the corner of Clinton and Chicago streets is the site of the proposed downtown plaza, which will include raising the surrounding streets level with the plaza.

The future city square will go into an area of downtown Joliet largely comprised of a city parking lot and a parking lot for the Joliet Public Library. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)

The survey asks for public opinion on potential design elements, including community identifiers, pavers, benches and specialty lighting. The survey also presents options for architectural themes and family gathering areas.

The survey will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete, according to a city news release.

“I am excited to see this project get closer to the finish line,” Mayor Terry D’Arcy said in the release. “We are hoping to receive even more targeted feedback”

The survey follows a community open house in February that presented design options for the square to get public feedback.

City of Joliet hosted an open house at the Joliet Public Library to hear from the public on the proposed downtown plaza on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023.

People viewed design plans for the future city square during an open house at the Joliet Public Library in February. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)

The square will take over an area that consists mostly of a city parking lot and Joliet Public Library parking lot. The library is on the north end of the future square. The south end includes the Van Buren Plaza, which would be replaced by the square.

The city invites those with questions to email the project team working on plans for the square at CitySquare@Joliet.gov.