Local architects claim streetscape lacks aesthetics

DIXON The first plans for the downtown streetscape project were unveiled at City Hall in January, and work is expected to begin this month.

But two local architects still are critical of the project.

John McLane and Dean Sheaffer, who had submitted proposed designs for the streetscape and done work with KSB Hospital or downtown, say that because no landscape architect was the lead professional on the project, the city missed out on incorporating design elements, signage and greenspace into the $5.7 million project.

The city contracted Wendler Engineering Services Inc. and Willett, Hofmann & Associates, for a combined $320,930, to do engineering work and planning for the project.

The Dixon-based firms divided the project in half.

Wendler took the west side, which includes: Peoria Avenue from River Street to Third Street; First Street from Highland Avenue to Hennepin Avenue; and portions of Second Street between Highland Avenue and Hennepin Avenue.

Willett Hofmann took the west side, which includes First Street from Hennepin Avenue to Crawford Avenue, and Ottawa Avenue from River Street to Second Street.

In 2010, the city did a streetscape project on part of Hennepin Avenue.

The engineering firms were instructed to use general design guidelines from that earlier project as they worked on this years streetscape project, said Wendlers Scott Brown, who is leading the project for his firms portion.

Brown said that aesthetic elements and greenspace were incorporated into the design where available, but he added that they were very restricted in what they could do because of space available downtown.

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Local architects claim streetscape lacks aesthetics