In an effort to breathe new life into the downtown area and increase its popularity, city leaders in Rolling Meadows, Ill. undertook a revitalization program that included visual improvements, construction and improved lighting. As Mayor Thomas Menzel saw it, the downtown revitalization plan was ?EUR??,,????'??the first major step in creating an identity for the inner core of our city.?EUR??,,????'?? In November 1993, the city council adopted the Central Business District revitalization plan, which emphasized the importance of enhancing the physical attractiveness of the downtown area.

The Rolling Meadows Streetscape design began through a thoughtful series of planning meetings and resident input sessions for the revitalization of Kirchoff Road. 3D Design Studio was retained to prepare the streetscape master plan, and to coordinate the city input meetings. Dan Dalziel, principal of 3D Design Studio prepared the presentation drawings and conducted the input meetings of the design process.

The planning sessions began with a series of public input meetings with invited local business representatives and residents. In between the public meetings there were many planning meetings with staff to review issues ranging from the design of the bike path for snow plowing, to the design of the decorative bridge over the Salt Creek; from coordination with the Rolling Meadows Park District for a bike trail connection, to accommodating local business outdoor eating terraces. The planning encompassed eight months of design and preparation prior to initiating the construction bidding documents. Several presentations of the design elements and construction estimates of probable cost were presented to the city council.

I acted on behalf of the city to coordinate the construction efforts of multiple contractors under separate contracts. This approach saved the city the cost mark-up of one general contractor in charge of the entire project, and allowed for greater onsite control as minor adjustments were encountered or determined to be in the best interest of the city. The separate contracts included concrete sidewalk with a brick-lined bikeway, a street tree planting landscaping and sod installation contact, and an electrical contract to install the new decorative Bega pedestrian street lights. 3D Design Studio also coordinated with two separate contractors to build the brick entry sign and landscape enhancements, and a separate construction contract for the Carillon Bell Tower. All this coordination provided the city significant costs savings for the overall project, and helped to expedite the construction of a majority of the streetscape corridor improvements.

The project required considerable onsite construction observation meetings for review of contractor operations and laying out the landscape plantings and site furnishings. Many landscape planting beds are incorporated in locations that maximize the visibility for the thousands of commuters that travel the Kirchoff Road Streetscape Corridor every day.

The objective for the project design was to coordinate the many streetscape furnishings into one cohesive, unified fabric for the motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. At the center of the improvements are the contemporary globe style Bega light fixtures with custom banners that are carried consistently throughout the entire length of the streetscape. As a special service, 3D Design Studio developed the Rolling Meadows logo that was utilized for the first design for the multitude of banners that line both sides of the roadway. This logo eventually became the city logo, used on letterhead and business cards as well.

The project used a combination of funding sources. STP funds were utilized for the plantings and roadway work along the Kirchoff Road Corridor. Highway Bridge funds went to the reconstruction of the bridge. Enhancement funds were used for the paths along Kirchoff.

Next, the city council took a significant risk by coordinating a major private development downtown. In September 1996, it negotiated a $750,000 agreement to purchase land for the development.

The city forged partnerships with Illinois-based Harris Bank and Kimball Hill Homes (the company that built most of the homes in Rolling Meadows in the 1950s and 1960s) to develop the property. Kimball Hill would create a 128-unit community of mid-rise condominium homes on the site, and Harris Bank would construct its new 16,000-square foot headquarters building on an adjacent parcel.

?EUR??,,????'??The city?EUR??,,????'???s challenges included monitoring and leading these complex development projects through the planning process; removing hazardous materials and an underground oil tank a supermarket had left behind; negotiating parking, site access and cross easements; and negotiating the termination of leases with remaining tenants in the shopping center,?EUR??,,????'?? Menzel said.

?EUR??,,????'??The carillon provides an opportunity for businesses, community organizations and residents to celebrate the collaborative partnerships that set our community apart from others,?EUR??,,????'?? Menzel said.

The location within the streetscape corridor for the carillon plaza was chosen because of the dramatic setting achieved through the elevation gain from Salt Creek up to the street.

The distant view from the bike path and park users, combined with the curve in Kirchoff, creates a dramatic focal point for park and roadway users alike. The fact that the carillon design evolved through the process into the setting for the Veteran?EUR??,,????'???s Memorial seemed eloquent, fitting, and appropriate for this beautiful and peaceful setting.