Editor’s Note: This is the second in a continuing series evaluating the Downtown DeKalb Revitalization Project.

In the fall of 2005, the city of DeKalb sought out revitalization proposals for its 90-acre downtown, with the Hitchcock Design Group picked to lead the charge.

Guided by a 20-member revitalization task force known as ReNew DeKalb, existing resources and marketplace conditions were gauged, project parameters were set and the mission to re-establish the downtown area as the community’s centerpiece commenced.

Using traffic-calming techniques and green streetscaping, a more compact, pedestrian-friendly historic retail core spilling with distinctive shops and stops is in the works. In fact, you may have already seen city engineers taking measure of downtown’s streets and sidewalks.

City Hall will eventually be relocated, and a new civic landmark, DeKalb Square, will give the downtown a much-needed gathering space.

To attract new residents and visitors, more high-quality housing choices and stores are envisioned. Even free Wi-Fi Internet access is slated for downtown’s central hot spots, something busy students and faculty are sure to appreciate.

“The University’s been a great partner with us,” said Jennifer Groce, head of ReNew DeKalb.

Two members of NIU’s faculty sit on ReNew DeKalb’s committee: Regional Development Institute Director Bob Gleeson, and Community Relations Executive Director Rena Cotsones. Cotsones said a revitalized downtown will give new energy to the entire community and make DeKalb a more desirable place to live, especially for NIU students, faculty and staff.

“It is such a pleasure to go into restaurants and shops in downtown DeKalb and see the variety of people there,” said Cotsones, a political science professor. “[It’s] a true destination for people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Plans to expand the downtown riverfront toward the campus, strengthening pedestrian connections, will make it even easier for everyone to move around between the two.

“We’re trying to incorporate more biker-friendly amenities to make sure that cyclists know how to get around,” Groce said.

They are also working closely with the Huskie Bus Line to make sure transportation runs right through downtown.

Convenient access to state highways and expressways, the region’s largest university, and a population of nearly 50,000 within a 50-mile radius – the threshold for chain markets and residential developers to come in – appear to make DeKalb’s future brighter.

“We have got great assets all around us,” Groce said.

Area businesses have been thriving because of this, some even expanding their local offerings.

Megan Morrison has added Moxie, and Cracker Jax opened Alley Jax. And just this week, O’Leary’s Irish Pub and Grille owner Mel Whitmer unveiled his second downtown restaurant, Filo Spinatos.

A whole new market has arrived to the area, too: the shabby chic gift store. New Traditions opened, and Simply Posh moved in from another town. My Faivret Things and a few others joined them, too, Groce said.

“When all of those things start a domino effect, then we have a real positive environment for business to take place,” she said.

While the city center’s coffee shop, The House Café, evolves, other things are percolating as well.

“We’re by no means done,” Groce said.

Cotsones lauds the creativity and commitment of city officials in identifying resources and coming up with new ones to fund what she says is much needed work.

“My hat’s off to the downtown entrepreneurs, both the long-time stalwarts as well as the newcomers,” Cotsones added.

She believes their commitment and tenacity will be rewarded with increased business as the beautification and improvements upgrade the downtown experience.