Urban Design and Planning - RiverCity Aurora

RiverCity Aurora

Aurora, Illinois

Core-area plan for the RiverCity Aurora redevelopment. Some of the major elements include a 6000-seat arena, a convention center, hotels, an entertainment center, restaurants, and theatres.

Services Provided:
Land-Use Plan
Transportation Plan
Commercial Sub-Area Plan
Development Guidelines
General Development Plan

In a story typical of many American cities, the city of Aurora, Illinois, is undergoing a renaissance as industrial sites and other negative land uses are abandoned or move out of the center city and create amazing opportunities for redevelopment along the waterways. Aurora is in the process of rediscovering its waterfront along the Fox River, and part of this new growth is the RiverCity Aurora project.

The project contains a mix of commercial, residential, and entertainment uses that will help to revitalize two areas on either side of the river. On the East Bank there will be an arena, entertainment center, hotels, a theatre, restaurants, and shops, as well as parking. The West Bank will see selected infill and other construction that keeps much of the existing urban core intact and uses it for inspiration for new buildings. A proposed shuttle system will link these areas with the Metra Station, and new parks and promenades will line the river's edge.

A series of images showing some of the existing site conditions. At top right, a view looking north along the Fox River through the center of the project site. At right, a panoramic view of the abandoned industrial buildings on the east bank of the river. Above, three of the many river crossings in Aurora, including the railroad bridge that will be converted for pedestrian use.

Above, an aerial photograph showing the project area. This constitutes a large area of downtown Aurora. At right, a rendered plan showing the redevelopment area. While the plans call for much of the east bank is to be converted into the various key elements such as the arena, hotels, etc., the west bank will see the construction of new residential and neighborhood commercial uses. Using existing building types as an example, such as the Paramount Theatre (shown below), the designers envision a new core of neo-traditional development.