Downtown Wheaton Streetscape

The City of Wheaton Downtown Streetscape is a multi-year infrastructure project bringing updates and improvements to underground utilities, roadways, lighting, and signage while creating wider, more pedestrian-friendly sidewalks throughout downtown Wheaton.

View the Downtown Streetscape Project Map & Timeline

  • Phase 1 - Fall 2017 thru Fall 2018 - Front Street from West Street to Cross Street
  • Phase 2 - Fall 2018 thru Fall 2019 - Hale Street from Willow Avenue to Union Avenue; Wesley Street from Wheaton Avenue to Cross Street; and Cross Street from Front Street to Wesley Street
  • Phase 3 - Spring 2020 thru Summer 2020 - Main Street from Illinois Street to Seminary Avenue
  • Phase 4 - Spring 2021 thru Fall 2022 - Wheaton Avenue from Liberty Drive to Wesley Street; Cross Street from Liberty Drive to Front Street; Liberty Drive from West Street to Cross Street & Parking Lots #3 & #4

Phase 4 Work in Progress

Phase 4 mainly focuses south of the railroad tracks on Liberty Drive, including a new multi-purpose canopy structure, new gathering areas, bicycle facilities, and more. This beautifully designed area will not only invite the community to gather, enjoy the French Market and more, but it will also draw users of the Prairie Path to explore our downtown shops, restaurants and other businesses. Segments of Wesley Street, Wheaton Avenue, Cross Street and Willow Avenue will also receive upgrades in this last streetscape phase. 

Remaining work is limited to Liberty Drive between Cross Street and Hale. The City anticipates the project to be complete in the fall of 2022.

Renderings of Phase 4 Areas

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

The renderings above show some of the gathering areas, parking and canopy structure planned for Liberty Drive between Cross Street and Wheaton Avenue. The multi-use canopy structure can be used for the French Market, events, and parking when not in use. 

Completed Work:

Main Street Underground Utilities & Streetscape (Phase 3)

Streets: Liberty Drive from West Street to Cross Street; Wheaton Avenue from Wesley Street to Liberty Drive; Cross Street from Liberty Drive to RR Tracks

Project dates: March 2020 - November 2020

Copenhaver Construction replaced the roadways and curbs, created wider sidewalks and a brick amenity zone, and has added new lighting, benches, and landscaping beds. New wayfinding signage and banners will be installed soon.

Wesley, Hale & Cross Streetscape (Phase 2)

Streets: Wesley Street from Wheaton Avenue to Cross Street; Hale Street from Front Street to Seminary Avenue; Cross Street from Front Street to Wesley Street
Project dates: April 2019 - November 2019

Copenhaver Construction replaced the roadways and curbs, created wider sidewalks and a brick amenity zone, and has added new lighting, benches, and landscaping beds. New wayfinding signage and banners will be installed soon.

Wesley & Hale Underground Utilities (Phase 2)

Streets: Wesley Street from Wheaton Avenue to Cross Street; Hale Street from Front Street to Seminary Avenue
Project dates: September 2018 - November 2018

John Neri Construction Company, Inc. replaced aging water main and sanitary sewers on Wesley Street and Hale Street.

Front Street Streetscape (Phase 1)

Streets: Front Street from West Street to Cross Street
Project dates: April 2018 - Winter 2018

Landmark Construction replaced the roadways and curbs, created wider sidewalks and an amenity zone and has added new lighting, benches, and landscaping beds. Martin Memorial Plaza, which features a new water fountain and an outdoor fireplace, has been relocated to the north side of Front Street. New wayfinding signage and new traffic signals were installed in early 2019.

Front Street Underground Utilities (Phase 1)

Streets: Front Street from West Street to Cross Street
Project dates: September 2017 - November 2017

Copenhaver Construction replaced aging water main and sanitary sewers on Front Street from West Street to Cross Street.

Downtown Wheaton Strategic Plan & Streetscape Plan Planning Phases - Complete

View the final Downtown Wheaton Strategic Plan and Streetscape Plan (PDF).

One of the Wheaton City Council’s goals in their 2014 Strategic Priorities was economic development in the City’s downtown. A key part of that was the development of a Downtown Wheaton Strategic Plan and a Downtown Streetscape Plan.

Following completion and adoption of the Downtown Strategic Plan and Streetscape Plan in February 2014, the City Council desired to engage the design services of a streetscape/engineering professional to assist the City with the implementing and construction of the public infrastructure elements identified in the Downtown Strategic and Streetscape Plan.

The City conducted a request for qualifications and request for proposal process and received and reviewed eight submittals for streetscape/engineering professional design services and determined that the proposal received from Design Workshop met the City’s needs for this project.

The following tasks were associated with completing this project:

  • Project kickoff and work session
  • Programming
  • Concept Design
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Final Concepts and Presentation

The complete design services agreement can be seen in the City Council Resolution below.

Planning Phase Documents & Videos