Hubbard Woods district next in line for Winnetka’s streetscape work

Work on Winnetka’s ongoing streetscape project will drive froward after village trustees OK’d the development of a design plan for the Hubbard Woods Business District.

The Village Council unanimously approved the agreement with Teska Associates during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

David Schoon, Winnetka’s community development director, said staff solicited a proposal from Teska because the group has already worked on a number of projects in the community, including previous streetscape efforts in the East Elm Business District and Indian Hill Business District — the latter of which is in collaboration with the Village of Kenilworth.

The Hubbard Woods streetscape planning will also be done in collaboration with a neighboring community. Schoon said Glencoe will contribute $7,000 to the expected total cost of $50,825 of the plan’s development, as part of the project will include property located in the neighboring village.

Much of the expected work will take place along Green Bay Road, which is a state highway. Because of that, Schoon said Winnetka will be having two meetings with the Illinois Department of Transportation, “which discussions could include the potential general transfer of that portion of Green Bay Road that runs through the business district.”

Additionally, there will also be opportunities for public participation.

“Through the combination of in-person and online activities, the proposed project scope of work includes three opportunities for business owners and property owners of the district, as well as community residents, to participate in the development of the concept design plans,” Schoon said.

In response to a question from Trustee Rob Apatoff, Schoon said much of the design work will include adjustment of curb lines and changing traffic configuration patterns in the Hubbard Woods district.

Village Manager Rob Bahan said the opportunity to sit down with IDOT will be a major component of the project.

“Right now, there’s nothing to engage them with, and we need concepts to be able to discuss whether a jurisdictional transfer is viable or not,” he said. “And that could go a long way toward funding the project as well, if there is a change made.”

Trustees shared positive remarks about the agreement.

“I’m excited to see this get underway,” Trustee Kim Handler said.

The Hubbard Woods project is part of a series of improvements in Winnetka business districts. The village accomplished five phases of the work in the Elm Street Business District, and now the project will continue in Hubbard Woods later this year.

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