Existing Conditions

A detailed inventory of Oswego's down-town was carried out early in the study, and used as a basis for decision-making throughout the planning process. The data collected was summarized on five graphics, described as follows:

Planning Sectors Map The Planning Sectors map presented as Figure 1 shows the boundaries four sectors identified by the Downtown Technical Committee prior to the initiation of this plan. They include: the Main Street commercial area; Main Street's commercial/residential periphery; the section between the east bank of the river and the railroad tracks; and the proposed 16-acre Village Square commercial center on the adjacent west side of the river.

Existing Land Use The existing land use map, presented as Figure 2, identifies the location and types of retail, service, office, residential, industrial and open space that exists in Oswego's downtown planning area. This map helped the team analyze market potentials, and identify ways to create a downtown that consists of land uses that mutually reinforce, rather than compete with one another.

Architectural Resources — Architectural resources were grouped into categories that included structures that contribute to the historic character of Oswego's downtown; those that would be contributing structures, if they were renovated; buildings that are candidates for facade improvements or redevelopment; and newer structures that are not historic, but still contribute posi-tively to Oswego's downtown (see Figure 3). There are a number of structures along Main Street that would contribute positively to Oswego's downtown, if they were renovated.

Transportation/Infrastructure — Existing pedestrian/bicycle trails, on-street parking, off-street parking lots, signalized intersections are illustrated on Figure 4, along with existing utility poles and overhead lighting. The Transportation/ Infrastructure graphic also shows areas where there are poor lines of sight or circulation problems that should be corrected.

Planning Factors — Figure 5 is a com-posite graphic that shows problems, needs and opportunities, based on field observa-tions presented on the other four maps. It was used as a frame of reference as alterna-tives for land use, market, transportation (pedestrian and vehicular, including parking), facade improvement, streetscape design, etc. were developed.

Problems, Needs and Opportunities

The Committees participated in an inter-active process that solicited input from each member present on planning issues and opportunities. Input received on strengths, problems and opportunities for Oswego's downtown is presented in the appendix of this report.

Comments from Committee representatives mirrored those presented in the survey sponsored by the OEDC with respect to diversity of businesses, hours of operation, landscaping, parking, advertising, etc. In addition, Committee members emphasized the importance of maintaining the historic architecture of buildings in the original retail core of the downtown, capitalizing on the recreational potentials afforded by the Fox River and Waubonsee Creek, and the opportunity to develop a retail base that has a unique niche. Members also acknowledged that the continuity of the shopping experience was broken by existing non-retail uses on the ground floor. Offices, institutional uses or clubs, for example, do not offer goods or services to the general public, and do not have window displays to maintain customer interest.

This evaluation of Oswego's downtown provided valuable insights toward understanding the existing downtown, and facilitated the preparation of alternative land uses, identification of market niches, and development of design criteria that follow.