Glenwood

History and Background

Glenwood has undergone several stages of development since its inception in the 19th century when it was know as "Hickory Bend". While Glenwood has enjoyed its growth from a rural hamlet to a small village, it is currently facing the challenge of many similar communities that find themselves engulfed by outwardly expanding development from major metropolitan centers--in this case Chicago.

Glenwood is one of 69 communities clustered to the south and southwest of Chicago. Combined the population of these communities is 1.2 million people. The current population of Glenwood is 9,300 people.

There are two major interstates that pass near Glenwood. The rail network is a significant presence in the area, especially with the commuter tracks passing right next to the site.

Most buildings were built in the last fifty years though there are several older buildings in the area of this site.

Glenwood has decided that the development of a Village Hall and Town Square can serve a critical role in shaping Glenwood's future.

Design Challenge

The design challenge facing competitors is to create a Village Hall (approximately 22,000 square feet) with a Town Square that includes public space, shops and offices on a site of approximately 5.75 acres. Competitors must also show how this development can fit with longer term development plan for the surrounding area that focuses on a commuter Train station development (approximately 17.5 acres) and Main Street improvements. The Village Hall and Town Square should serve as a symbol for the community, provide meaningful public place and associated experience, function efficiently, and accomodate alternative economic development options. The plan for surrounding urban development plan should allow for a range of options including the Train Station and Main Street development.

Many suburban communities in this, and other, midwestern regions, face a similar challenge of creating significant civic buildings and public place that can funtion effectively within the context of economic and social change that drives new development. In this larger sense, the design challenge is to create a Village Hall and Town Square that serves as an example for other communities.

Village Hall

The village hall must lie within the subarea (1.5 acres) designated within the overall Town Square development. A utilities easement right of way must remain along the path of Rose street. The existing village hall will be demolished, but the police station to the north and the water tower remain.

Of the approximately 22,000sf for the Village Hall only about 7,500sf is devoted to public offices. The rest of the square footage should be designed as leaseable office space with seperate entrance and circulation systems. In the future this area may be used as expansion space for the Village Hall.

Town Square

The town square must lie withing the boundaries designated on the map (5.75 acres). Utility easements must be maintained along Campbell and Rose streets.

For design purposes the site is flat.

The town square is expected to include shops and office buildings. The post office needs to be replaced in function should we choose to demolish the current building. The building in the southeast corner of the site has historical significance to the town of Glenwood. Any structures on the site can be renovated or demolished as part of the design and the radio tower can be moved.

The town square should contain about 50,000sf of commercial spaces in low rise structures (1, 2, or 3 stories). There is a strong demand for higher quality commercial spaces than is currently existing. The amount of commercial space needed is speculative and as such the design should be flexible to accomodate more or less commercial space.

Parking

There should be 315 parking spaces (including on-street) with quick and conveinent access from the Village Hall and Town Square to parking.

Train Station and Main Street Development

Proposals for these two areas should follow boundaries as shown on the competition map. These developments are speculative at this time so minor modifications in the boundary conditions will not result in disqualification. We may make proposals for landscaping treatment in the railroad right-of-way adjacent to the site.

The train station is about 1,700 sf including:

• 1,000sf waiting area
  
• 150sf vendor area
  
• 160sf Public Bathrooms
  
• 250sf ticket office and bathroom
  
• 300sf utility and storage
  
The inbound platform should be approximately 465 linear feet and the outbound should be about 635 linear feet. At grade pedestrian crossings are acceptable. Outbound, morning passengers wait on the east side; inbound, evening passengers arrive on the west side.

There should be all-day parking for 600 cars. There should be sufficient area to handle about 30 drivers who are dropping off or picking up passengers. There should be parking for 3 buses and a rack for 30 bicycles with 5 lockers.

No additional vehicular crossings of the tracks are allowed, though additional pedestrian crossings are allowed.

It is still uncertain whether the train station will be built. This should be taken into consideration when designing the Village Hall and Town Square.

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