Downtown Development
Mission Statement
The mission of the Downtown Development Division is to facilitate the improvement and enhancement of downtown Aurora through coordinated planning, design review, technical assistance, data collection, promotional efforts, and a variety of redevelopment activities.
Purpose
We work closely with other City departments, property owners, residents, businesses, and prospective investors to encourage development and activities that:
- Preserve and protect downtown architectural resources
- Maximize public enjoyment of the Fox River
- Encourage high-quality economic development
- Enhance the overall appearance of downtown Aurora. Important “citizen partners” in our efforts include the FoxWalk Overlay District Design Review Committee, the Riverwalk Commission, and Aurora Downtown.
About Downtown Aurora
Downtown Aurora is a special place, with myriad attractions that reflect the true heart and spirit of our larger community.
Much of downtown Aurora is part of the FoxWalk Zoning Overlay District. This means that special regulations govern development, and the FoxWalk Overlay District Design Review Committee functions as the Plan Commission downtown. Development rules are intended to foster creative, mixed uses. They reflect a vision for the future and a desire to preserve the things that make downtown Aurora a distinctive place: historic architecture, the beautiful Fox River, varied retail shops, specialty restaurants, unique apartments, public gathering spaces, and cultural and entertainment gems like the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, the Historical Society Museum, the Aurora Public Library, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, the Copley Theatre at North Island Center, the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, the Hollywood Casino Aurora, the Paramount Theatre, the Riverfront Playhouse, and the SciTech Hands on Museum.
Downtown Aurora is home to Stolp Island, a district placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. According to the Historic Preservation Commission in its publication, Aurora, An Architectural Portrait:
“…Stolp Island became the neutral territory for Aurora’s public buildings and other private organizations. The National Register District includes good examples of the works of nationally known architects, and unique architectural styles… Stolp Island early on became a functional transportation link as well as an emotional link between Aurora’s east and west developments. In this regard, it symbolizes all of Aurora…”
Stolp Island is literally an outdoor museum of architecture. It is the “address” of over 20 significant historic structures, many of which are outstanding examples of terra cotta work displayed on “china front” buildings.
The downtown Aurora “neighborhood” includes an ever-growing range of businesses and organizations: real estate and financial services providers, information technology specialists, unique light manufacturing operations, Waubonsee Community College, social service agencies, governmental offices, and a state-of-the art postal facility. The Aurora Transportation Center houses the Metra (Burlington/Northern) Commuter Rail line and a Greyhound bus terminal. The Transportation Center is also the site of Aurora’s popular Farmers Market, which has been in existence since 1912 and is held on Saturday mornings from mid-June through mid-October. Fox Valley Park District trails and open spaces are easily accessible from all parts of downtown Aurora, as is the Prisco Community Center. Other delightful public open spaces in downtown include Rotary Park, Millennium Plaza, and Sesquicentennial Park. Aurora’s FoxWalk, an urban walkway lined with flowers, benches, fountains, and plazas traverses much of Stolp Island and offers an opportunity to view the scenic Fox River from multiple vantage points. Check out the Mayor’s Office of Special Events for a full listing of all the exciting, family-oriented events hosted by the City of Aurora downtown, throughout the year!
The FoxWalk Overlay District Design Review Committee is an 11-member body that is appointed by the Mayor. DRC members represent multiple interests and areas of expertise: property managers/owners, historic preservation advocates, design professionals, and the Riverwalk Commission. They function as Plan Commission members for downtown development projects, and work with staff to implement the FoxWalk Overlay District Intent, Rules and Regulations, through the issuing of Certificates of Appropriateness (C.O.A.’s).
We maintain a close relationship with the Riverwalk Commission, an appointed body comprised of 13 individuals. The Riverwalk Commission has worked many years to make real the FoxWalk vision: an urban walkway ringing four banks of the river and traversing Stolp Island. The Downtown Development Division serves as staff to the RWC, and monitors phased construction projects as funding becomes available each fiscal year.
Finally, we interact on a regular basis with members of Aurora Downtown, an organization of property owners comprising Special Service Area One. Open dialogue and the exchange of ideas are continuous between the Aurora Downtown board of directors and Downtown Development staff. For more information about Aurora Downtown, visit their website at www.auroradowntown.org.