Horner & Shifrin worked with Gonzalez Companies, LLC to support the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the City of Decatur in studying potential improvements along Business Route 51, a key corridor known locally as Water Street and Main Street. The team explored options to upgrade the roadway, enhance drainage, add a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, update traffic signals, and improve lighting—making the route safer and more accessible for everyone.

Community input was central to this project. Horner & Shifrin organized multiple stakeholder and public meetings, working closely with local residents and city leaders to understand their needs and concerns. When proposed changes could have affected on-street parking in a neighborhood with many low-income and minority residents, the team developed and distributed a detailed Environmental Justice survey. The results, carefully analyzed and shared with the public, helped guide the decision to keep on-street parking in place—ensuring the project supports the community’s well-being.

This study reflects Horner & Shifrin’s commitment to thoughtful planning, open communication, and solutions that make a real difference for the people who live and work along Business Route 51.