City of Morris
Liberty Street Streetscape

Project Goals and Benefits

The goal would be to provide a walkable, vibrant, downtown that attracts restaurants and retail shops, improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and safety along selected street segments throughout the downtown.

Scope Summary

The scope will include replacing or maintain aging infrastructure, repair the condition of sidewalks and streets, all while maintaining business vitality and access. The streetscape improvements will generally include the replacement of elements from building face to building face. This encompasses utility replacement, complete roadway reconstruction, sidewalk replacement, accessibility improvements in line with PROWAG/ADA standards, as well as streetscape features like decorative bricks, landscaping, lighting, and furniture.

This project will be successful if the following outcomes are achieved:

• Improve utility service life and dependability

• Improve pedestrian accessibility

• Minimize disruption to downtown businesses

Project Scope

What’s changing, what’s improving, and how it affects Downtown Morris.

Project Limits

The streetscape improvements will take place throughout the core of Downtown Morris, affecting key areas near the courthouse square, Main Street, and adjacent connectors. A detailed map will be shared during public engagement.

What’s Being Improved

The project includes the following major improvements:

• Full roadway reconstruction

• Sidewalk removal and replacement

• Utility replacement (storm, sanitary, water where necessary)

• ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalk slopes (PROWAG standards)

• New pedestrian lighting

• Decorative brick paving zones

• Landscaping & green infrastructure

• Street furniture (benches, trash receptacles, bike racks)

• Wayfinding signage

Minimizing Disruption

A core goal of the project is to ensure businesses remain accessible throughout construction. The City and its consultants will maintain open walkways and provide regular updates so that residents and visitors can continue supporting downtown businesses.

Expected Outcomes

Objective

Improved Accessibility

Enhanced Utility Reliability

Long-Term Cost Efficiency

Beautification & Cohesion

Economic Boost

Public Involvement

TERRA’s public involvement services include:

• Context-Sensitive Solutions (CSS)

• Stakeholder Identification and Involvement

• Public Meeting Planning and Organization

• Website Development and Hosting

TERRA’s public involvement experiences range from small neighborhood-level business district redevelopment projects to multi-county freeway corridor studies. With a tailored public involvement plan for each project, no project is too big or too small for stakeholder involvement.

TERRA’s staff include group facilitators trained by Institute of Cultural Affairs in the USA Technology of Participation (ToP).  TERRA also boasts staff trained in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Context-Sensitive Solutions (CSS) process.

Public Involvement for Commercial District
Streetscape Projects

Why Public Involvement Matters

• Local stakeholders understand how streets function in daily use

• Early involvement builds community support and prevents opposition

• Business owners, residents, and visitors provide invaluable insights designers may miss

Key Stakeholder Groups

• Business owners, employees, and tenants

• Property owners

• Residents and neighborhood organizations

• Accessibility advocates

• Cyclists and pedestrian groups

• Business Improvement Districts or merchant associations

• Event organizers and cultural groups

Effective Engagement Methods

• Multiple channels: In-person workshops, online surveys, pop-up events, walking tours, focus groups

• Visual communication: 3D renderings, before/after images, physical models, temporary installations

• Accessible timing: Evening and weekend sessions, multiple languages, childcare when possible

• Meet people where they are: "Shop and talk" sessions in district, business owner breakfast meetings

Common Concerns to Address

• Construction impacts: Loss of customer access, delivery disruptions, duration of work

• Parking: Perceived vs. actual availability, effects on customer access

• Economic anxiety: Fear of lost revenue during and after construction

• Loading and service access: Truck sizes, delivery schedules, operational needs

• Maintenance: Long-term upkeep and sustainability of improvements

• Design character: Maintaining district identity and aesthetic preferences

Building Trust and Buy-In

• Be transparent about what's negotiable and what's fixed (budget, ADA requirements, utilities)

• Share case studies from similar successful projects

• Provide construction phasing plans that maintain business access

• Consider business support programs during construction (marketing, signage, assistance funds)

• Lead with data on parking utilization and customer patterns

• Test concepts with temporary installations (parklets, painted bike lanes, pop-up seating)

Communication Strategies

• Document and publish "what we heard" reports

• Explain how feedback influenced design decisions

• Be clear when suggestions can't be accommodated and why

• Establish regular communication channels during construction

• Designate a construction liaison for business concerns

Measuring Success Together

• Establish metrics the community cares about: pedestrian counts, business activity, customer satisfaction

• Commit to before-and-after measurements

• Share results and lessons learned with the community

Special Considerations for Commercial Districts

• Address outdoor dining policies and parklet standards

• Plan for district events (festivals, markets) in design

• Balance competing needs: pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, loading zones

• Consider both immediate disruption and long-term economic benefits

• Engage both vocal and quieter stakeholders through varied methods

The project will provide urban design and community engagement services to prepare a plan to improve the streetscapes and associated public spaces throughout Downtown Morris, to create a more attractive, accessible, sustainable, safe, and economically vibrant downtown. The consultants will collaborate closely with City staff, Public Works, Engineering, and Planner.  Additionally, the consultant will gather input and feedback from Downtown Business Owners and City residents.

This includes understanding parking needs, sidewalk utilization, roadway requirements, and other downtown design elements. A focus will also be placed on ensuring ADA standards are met and access to businesses along the downtown are allowed to remain accessible during construction. 

Representative Projects