a river of opportunity - PDF Free Download

Kankakee Riverfront a river of opportunity Public Open House November 7, 2017

Can Kankakee use the river to connect its citizens? to support its economy? to attract more visitors? to reposition its brand?

Can Kankakee use the river to connect its citizens? to improve its economy? to attract more visitors? to reposition its brand?

Riverfront Team City of Kankakee Riverfront Task Force Stakeholders Chasity Wells-Armstrong, City of Kankakee - Mayor Clifford Cross, City of Kankakee - City Planner Pete Schiel, City of Kankakee - Utility Operations Elizabeth Kubal, City of Kankakee, Comptroller Carmen Lewis, 5 th Ward Alderwoman Fred Tetter, 7 th Ward Alderman Jim Faford, 4 th Ward, Alderman Dayna Heitz, Kankakee Valley Park District Barbi Brewer, Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce Staci Wilken, Kankakee County Conventions Visitor s Bureau Mark Steffan, Community Arts Council Phil Kambic, Riverside Medical Center Chris Shride, Amita Health St. Mary s Hospital Scott Snavely, Midland Bank Elizabeth Dunbar, Carlile Architects, County Board Chip Rorem, Ralph Rorem Architects Nick Holstein, Wayba Productions Manuel Martinez, Martinez Tacos

Riverfront Team

Stay Connected Project webpage: www.kankakee-il.com (click on Riverfront Master Planning Process) or www.hitchcockdesigngroup.com/kankakeeriverfront.html Instagram: #KankakeeRiverfront Email: llawrence@hitchcockdesigngroup.com npiggush@piggusheng.com

Process

Goal By 2022, create and sustain an extraordinary riverfront that is the catalyst for Kankakee s renaissance as a premier Illinois riverfront community.

Objective Better Connected Improve access to and between attractions/destinations for residents and visitors of all capabilities. River and water-based recreation Regional trails for walking and cycling Retail stores, buildings and parking Adjacent neighborhoods and parks

Objective Better Image Establish a recognizable brand that highlights the exceptional river and riverfront as part of a regional Kankakee River experience. Aesthetics and appearance Messaging and signage Experience based expectations

Objective More to do Create new and improve existing opportunities to shop, dine, live, work and play in the downtown. Active and passive recreation Housing Arts and cultural amenities Entertainment Business

opportunity

Opportunity Analysis

Resources River Street and trail network Parks Structures Neighborhoods Capital

Resources Regional significance

Resources Community significance

Resources Downtown significance

Resources Hydrology

Marketplace Market sectors by drive time 15 Minutes (local residents) 15-30 Minutes (day/evening visitors) 30-60 Minutes (weekend visitors) 90+ Minutes (tourism) Kankakee recreation National recreation trends Entertainment spending

Marketplace Local and visitor markets

Local Residents Declining and youngest population More non-family households Lowest median income High: walking, swimming, fishing Above nat avg: skating, fishing, canoeing/kayaking $500 rec, $2700 dining

Day/evening Visitors Declining, oldest, rural population More family households Highest median income High: walking, swimming, fishing Above nat avg: fishing, boating, canoeing/kayaking $600 rec, $3100 dining

Weekend Visitors Growing, late 30 s population Most, biggest family households High median income High: walking, swimming, running Above nat avg: skating, walking $620 rec, $3200 dining

Active Trends U.S. trail sports participation totals

Active Trends U.S. water sports participation totals

Marketplace Comparable Communities Proximity to users Proximity to overnight accommodations Natural amenities Physical constraints Relationships to surrounding uses

Best Practices Sustainable (environment, economy, culture) Multi-dimensional (appealing to residents and visitors, flexible, high ROI) Healthy (active, comfortable, clean, safe) Attractive (engaging, stimulating, clean) Distinctive (differentiated from other riverfronts) Respectful (of resources, diverse stakeholders) Barrier-free (accessible by all)

Stakeholders Powerful, complex river asset Improving economy Institutional influences Diverse audience Residents first, visitor bonus Operational, image challenges

Survey Trends Very familiar, unsatisfied Over half visit multiple times/year Over half walk often, 40% boat 88% Very important to city identity 92% City should improve riverfront 78% Very likely to use if improved

Community Discussion River is an underutilized asset

Community Discussion Create a lively riverfront environment

strategy

Strategy To reposition Kankakee as a premier Illinois riverfront community: Construct and program distinctive attractions Construct 3 dimensional connections Think big, implement incrementally, systematically Leverage mobility and environmental grants Leverage the most attractive development sites Create a management entity Promote the river-centric brand

Framework Plan

Riverfront Master Plan

Bird Park

Zip Line Course

Treetop Ropes Course

Fisherman s Park

Fishing

Fire Pit

Pedestrian Bridge

Alpiner Park

Arbor

Skating Ribbon

Overlook/Event Stage

Pedestrian Underpass

Legion Park

Nature-Based Play

River Edges

River Street

Terrace Seating

Kayak/Canoe Launch

River Street Promenade

River Edges

Connections Whitewater

Redevelopment

Lighting

Streetscape Lighting

Streetscape

Public Art

Economic impacts Construction (public) Operations Real Estate Development (private) Taxes

next steps

Process

What can I do? Participate in the River Renaissance! Be an advocate Stay connected Contribute

Public Hearing Monday, November 20, 2017 6:30 7:00 pm, Council Chamber

discussion