After being presented with three scenarios to upgrade La Grange Road’s appearance, the Countryside City Council sent the designers back to their drawing boards.

With the help of a PowerPoint presentation and display boards, three Teng and Associates representatives outlined several scenarios for the La Grange Road Enhancement Concept Design. Working with a total budget of about $1 million, council members seemed under-whelmed at the options.

“We took an inventory of existing conditions and all of the businesses,” Bob Stern of Teng said. “ ... There’s not much of a buffer between the road and sidewalk in some cases ... We wanted to come up with three different concepts ... that will give Countryside a unique look and a more modern image for the city to lure different visitors as well as utilize businesses out there.”

Mayor Robert Conrad said the Route 66 Americana/Vintage Signs theme of vintage gas pumps, highlighted signage and other auto tributes as well as a Las Vegas feel, would be perfect in Countryside — but on the actual Route 66 on Joliet Road.

“I like the Route 66 concept. I think you’re on the wrong road ... we might utilize that when we jump on with the Route 66,” Conrad said.

The Traditional Streetscape theme seemed to sit best with the council, but members were concerned there would be too much maintenance involved and that the city would blend in with nearby villages.

“I like the fact that it continues down La Grange Road, but I want us to cut our own niche. No disrespect, but I don’t want to be La Grange,” Conrad said. “... Some sort of friendship between (concepts) two and three would be ideal for me. It would be a brand-new tradition.”

The council was concerned that the illuminated walls would distract drivers despite providing a wall between traffic and the sidewalk for pedestrians, who the city hopes to see more of on the road.

Stern said the lights would be slow-moving due to the budget and would only enhance the area.

“This theme kind of breaks out of the box and looks into the future,” Stern said. “It gives Countryside more of a modern identity. ... We wanted to provide a sense of rhythm.”

Alderman Sean McDermott suggested that widening the sidewalk might benefit the plans to allow for more pedestrian activity. Council members also said providing benches along the road would encourage more activity.

The council will see a new design incorporating schemes two and three at its Dec. 12 meeting. If approved by the council, construction could begin on the road by middle to late summer pending Illinois Department of Transportation approval, Allen Morris of Teng said.

Treasurer Steven Jasinski said Teng should present the council with more costly ideas if seen fit. If the council liked the ideas, the city could look to see if it had funding for it, he said.

“I know you have a budget, but we’re not so short-sighted that for an extra ‘X,’ we can get this,” Jasinski said.