Article posted: 3/7/2014 5:30 AM

Imagine waving a magic wand and choosing where a new park or bridge should be built in the city of Elgin.

Participants in the "Envision Elgin" planning meeting Thursday night were asked to do just that, and they came up with a smorgasbord of ideas for improvements in several categories: residential and commercial areas, transportation, recreation, employment and life in general in Elgin.

"You have the chance to dream big," said John Houseal, principal of Chicago-based Houseal Lavigne Associates, which hosted the meeting attended by 28 people at The Centre of Elgin.

Participants brainstormed in small groups and reported their conclusions at the end of the evening.

Among their ideas:

A park on what is now wetlands by the College Park subdivision just west of Elgin Community College.

Smaller housing for seniors near the old Sherman Hospital just north of downtown.

A new North End bridge extending off Big Timber Road over the Fox River.

A centralized, "one-stop shop" website for all things Elgin.

Originally posted here:
'Envision Elgin' participants told to dream big