UPDATE: The Fox River Corridor Plan has been adopted by the Village of Algonquin and the Village of Carpentersville and is now available for download.

The Village of Algonquin (located in McHenry and Kane Counties) and the Village of Carpentersville (located in Kane County) share one of the region's great natural amenities—the Fox River.  The Villages of Algonquin and Carpentersville are collaborating to create a corridor plan for the Fox River to increase access to the river, improve water quality, and enhance the downtown area of each community.  The project area starts at approximately Klasen Road in Algonquin to the north and ends at Carpentersville's southern border.

The Fox River Corridor Plan was inspired by the recently completed subarea plans for the Villages of Algonquin and Carpentersville.  With the help of CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program, the Village of Algonquin completed its Downtown Planning Study in March 2013; and the Village of Carpentersville completed its Old Town Plan in July 2012.  Both planning reports include recommendations to enhance recreational use of and access to the Fox River.   

The Fox River Corridor Plan, also to be completed with the help of the LTA program, will address the land uses that line the waterway in Algonquin and in Carpentersville.  More specifically, the plan will focus on the following areas:

• Safe walking/bicycling connections between key destinations along the riverfront.
• A network of bicycle trails that will link to the regional greenway system (Fox River Trail and Prairie Trail) as well as connect cyclists to local shopping, institutions, transit, and other neighborhoods.
• Environmental features and conditions within the river and riverfront, including vegetation, park space, and water quality.
• Accessibility to the important recreational features on and along the river, including park space, bicycling, paddling, fishing, and swimming.
• A future land use plan along the riverfront within the study area that is based upon public input and the results of the existing conditions report.

​The planning process, developed in collaboration with the Villages of Algonquin and Carpentersville, involves five phases over the next 12 months.  During the first phase, several project activities will be conducted to jumpstart the project, including key stakeholder interviews, the public kick-off meeting, and the launching of the project web page.  The second phase will involve assessing the existing conditions of the project area by reviewing related documents and plans.  The third phase will focus on developing a vision for the Fox River Corridor.  The fourth phase will involve the development of a draft corridor plan that will be reviewed by both communities.  The fifth and final phase will entail revisions to the corridor plan and its adoption.

The planning process will entail robust stakeholder engagement in an effort to develop a plan that will include the input of both communities.  The Project Steering Committee, which consists of members representing each of the villages, will provide feedback throughout the planning process.  There will also be opportunities for residents and community stakeholders to share their thoughts and ideas about the corridor plan.  The public will be engaged through workshops, community events, and on-line tools. 

Public kick-off meeting (July 29, 2014)
The first public meeting for the Fox River Corridor Plan was held on July 29, 2014 at St. John's Lutheran Church and School, located at 300 Jefferson Street in Algonquin.  More than 60 individuals shared perceived issues, desired projects, and the current strengths and assets of the Fox River Corridor. We invite your participation at the following upcoming events.

Public visioning workshop (January 21, 2015)
On January 21, 2015, approximately  51 residents and stakeholders gathered at the Carpentersville Public Works Building to partake in a visioning charrete, during which participants divided up into smaller groups to envision the future of the Fox River Corridor through a mapping exercise. 

Public Open House meetings
The Villages of Algonquin and Carpentersville held public open houses for the draft Fox River Corridor Plan from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at the Algonquin Village Hall, and on Monday, November 16, 2015, at the Carpentersville Public Works Building. There were approximately 79 people in attendance combined from both meetings, including several members of the steering committee. The goal of the meetings was to present the draft Corridor Plan recommendations and garner feedback from residents and stakeholders.
 

Carpentersville jumps on board Fox River plan, Courier-News, February 19, 2016

Algonquin, Carpentersville nearing completion of Fox River Corridor Plan, Northwest Herald, November 16, 2015

Officials seeking input on Fox River plan from Carpentersville, Algonquin residents, Daily Herald, November 6, 2015

Algonquin looking to enhance Fox River plans, Northwest Herald, August 10, 2014

Renovation underway at Milk Specialties Co., Daily Herald, June 19, 2014

Committee Meets to Start Work on Fox River Corridor Plan, First Electric Newspaper, May 29, 2014

Algonquin, Carpentersville team up to tap into Fox River's potential, Daily Herald, May 28, 2014

Algonquin, Carpentersville planning to work on Fox River study, Northwest Herald, May 15, 2014

Algonquin, Carpentersville score grant for Fox River improvements, Daily Herald, December 29, 2013

Ben Mason, Village of Algonquin Senior Planner (bmason@algonquin.org)

Marc Huber, Village of Carpentersville Community Development Director (mhuber@vil.carpentersville.il.us)

Brian Daly, CMAP Associate Planner (bdaly@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8810)

Ricardo Lopez, CMAP Senior Planner (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766)