Beautifying Briergate Business District

The City of Highland Park, Park District of Highland Park and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are working cooperatively to improve the physical and aesthetic conditions in the Briergate Business District along Highway 41 and Old Skokie Road.

IDOT initiated clearing invasive trees and shrubs (primarily Buckthorn) on the IDOT right-of-way between 1800 and 1200 Old Skokie Road along the west boundary of Highway 41 and the east side of Old Skokie Road.

Crews will also be devoted to clearing refuse from this area. A diverse mix of native grasses, sedges and wildflowers appropriate to the area will be seeded in. This project will take place over a few years in order to ensure that invasive species are adequately controlled and the native plants get established.

Invasive species

The city forestry fivision and park district also began working in March to clear invasive plants along the Green Bay Trail from the Botanic Garden to Ravinia Festival.

It is anticipated that the clearing along Highway 41 will result in improved visibility to the Briergate Business District and therefore, have a positive impact on sales and services, and ultimately strengthen the business community.

"Just over two years ago, a group of us had a dream to clear out the Buckthorn, undergrowth and garbage from the interchange east of Old Skokie Road to Route 41," said David Brunjes, president of the Briergate Business Association District (BBAD). "It hid the businesses that many Highland Park residents don’t even know exist there."

As part of this process, the city has conducted property inspections over the course of the last few months and has identified conditions that are in violation of code. This cooperative approach will address long standing property maintenance issues in the area and improve conditions for all.

The city will continue to conduct an aggressive inspection process beginning this month to identify any outstanding maintenance issues and pursue enforcement of non-compliant properties.

Information obtained from the City of Highland Park