Signs

New sign for the Fulton Street parking deck. We could use one of these for the Spring Street deck.



Mad Maggies sign. The restaurant and bar will open in September. Those on the Pub Crawl had a sneak peek and I can confirm that it is impressive. Looks like dancing will be big here based on the size of the dance floor and the lights, fog machine, etc.

Per comment from Brian, Mad Maggies won't be a dance club really, maybe some fun 80's/indie dance nights mixed with bands etc...but the dance floor you mention is going to be the main dining area for the restaurant which should be open in a week or two, check out madmaggies.net or mpshows.com for upcoming events, specials and more!

One problem could be the nearly identical bars on the first and second floors. You may think you're seeing double before your first drink.


Al's sign on Spring Street. These are great examples of signage in downtown Elgin, let's see some more like these.

Downtown Wayfinding Signs

No, you’re not seeing quadruple.

Last week the City had four examples of new wayfinding signs installed along South Grove Avenue between Prairie and Fulton Streets. At first glance they may seem identical, but if you take a closer look you’ll see some small variations.

The City’s Project Action Team is soliciting feedback from the community about the signage. The Downtown Neighborhood Association has offered this blog as a quick and easy way to let them know what you think.

If you’re pretty adept at getting around downtown, try to think like an out-of-towner as you scope out the signage. Like Uncle Ned from Wisconsin. If he’s driving by at 20 miles per hour, would that sign be helpful or confusing? Is there enough information? Is there too much? Is it the right information?

Having just come off a major signage project at Judson University, I’ve learned a thing or two about signage. Number one – signs are information tools. They should present information clearly and effectively. Number two – signs are marketing tools. So, not only should they present information clearly and effectively, but they should present it in an appealing and eye-catching way. And that way is different for each business or organization or, in this case, city.

For example, though St. Charles and Elgin may have the same information on its signs, like directions to the riverfront or to the library, the signs themselves would be as different as St. Charles and Elgin are from each other.

Though you should never judge a book by its cover, people will judge a city by its signage. Which is why the City has invested a lot of time and resources into a comprehensive wayfinding signage system for downtown. It’s all part of the downtown streetscape project. The signs you see on Grove are just one example. We will see more popping up as phases of construction are completed.

So here’s your chance, Elgin. Check out the signs and get to blogging.

Illinois Main Street Architects to Visit Downtown Elgin

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has invited IHPA architects to conduct a workshop, offer design advice, and lead a building maintenance tour for business and property owners.

Architects from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA), working through the Illinois Main Street program, will be in Elgin all day on Tuesday, October 24 to provide businesses, agencies, and building owners design assistance through presentations, one-on-one sessions, and a walking tour. The state architects provide these services at no charge to Illinois Main Street communities like Elgin.

Downtown Neighborhood Association’s (DNA) Design Committee co-chairs Eric Pepa, Paul Bednar, Betsy Couture, and Dave Segel have worked with the Illinois Main Street architects to develop a full day of design assistance for Downtown Elgin.

Schedule
8 a.m. - Sessions on visual merchandising and low-cost design improvements at the DNA offices at 2 Douglas Avenue. Coffee and pastries will be served.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - One-on-one design assistance sessions with downtown business and property owners. Any interested Downtown Elgin business owner, agency or property owner can schedule an appointment by calling the DNA in advance at (847) 488-1456.

12 p.m. - Lunch


4:30 p.m. - The IHPA staff will discuss proper maintenance and repair of historic downtown buildings. There are several maintenance issues that, if addressed early, can save building owners tremendous amounts of time and money in the long run. This well-illustrated presentation identifies common causes of deterioration in historic building materials and examines necessary and appropriate repair techniques.

5:30 p.m. - IHPA staff will lead an hour-long tour of buildings in downtown Elgin, focusing on positive aspects of storefronts and areas where conditions might be improved. The public is welcome to attend the morning and afternoon sessions and tour. Packets will be available that discuss the various grants and tax credits available for downtown buildings from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and from the City of Elgin. In addition, information will be available regarding design assistance from the IHPA, the City of Elgin, and the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

To RSVP for any of these sessions please contact DNA at (847) 488-1456 by October 20.

Elgin Design Workshop

Attention all Elgin building owners!! Bring your building/business renovation project challenges, projecting sign ideas, and more in to discuss with professional designers and architects.

The workshop will be held on Thursday April 27th from 5pm-8pm at the Downtown Neighborhood Association office on the 1st floor of the Elgin Tower building at 2 Douglas Avenue.

Learn some basic renovation principles you can use on any project and then sign up for a FREE consultation with professionals to point you in the right direction and give you valuable advice.
This workshop is sponsored by the Downtown Neighborhood Association Design Committee. Call 847.488.1456 for more information.

Design Committee Neighborhood Walk for July 26th

The DNA Design Committee is conducting neighborhood walks every Tuesday from 12 to 1 pm. Meet at the DNA office, 2 Douglas, before 12 noon. The purpose of the walk is to note any areas that require attention. The list will be forwarded to the city and reviewed by the committee.

The walk for Tuesday, July 26th will cover the block bordered by Highland, Douglas, Division and Spring. The walks will continue until the entire downtown is covered.

Link to map of walk areas.

Call (847)488-1456 or email for more information.

Design Committee Neighborhood Walks

The DNA Design Committee is conducting neighborhood walks every Tuesday from 12 to 1 pm. Meet at the DNA office, 2 Douglas, before 12 noon. The purpose of the walk is to note any areas that require attention. The list will be forwarded to the city and reviewed by the committee.

The first walk will be on Tuesday, July 19th and will cover State St. and Grove, between Highland and Chicago, if time permits. The walks will continue until the entire downtown is covered.
Call (847)488-1456 or email for more information.

Last Chance for Upstairs Downtown Workshop in Rock Island

Just a reminder that the deadline for registering for the UPSTAIRS DOWNTOWN workshop is approaching fast! That's right March 30th is the deadline, less than one week away!! You can print registrations from the link below, they need to be mailed with payment to Renaissance Rock Island.

Remember Rock Island knows how to have a good time! Join us on April 7 and 8 in Rock Island for a 2-day workshop on the adaptive reuse of upper floors in downtown commercial buildings. For more information on UPSTAIRS DOWNTOWN, visit www.Illinois-History.gov.

Batavia to discuss facade programs

A Daily Herald article about Batavia's facade program references the success found in Elgin with a quote from Sarosh Saher.