2008 FoxWalk Overlay District Design Guidelines, Regulations, and Procedures (City of Aurora, prepared by City of Aurora)

The FoxWalk Overlay District was established in 1993 to guide the revitalization of downtown Aurora with a cohesive design strategy, blending preservation and innovation. Covering both the Downtown Core and Downtown Fringe zoning districts, the plan emphasizes restoring historic structures, promoting mixed-use development, and creating a pedestrian-friendly environment centered around the Fox River. Major initiatives include the construction of the two-tiered FoxWalk/Riverwalk, enhancement of Stolp Island (a National Register Historic District), and coordination of public-private development through design guidelines and oversight committees.

Since the district’s inception, the City of Aurora has issued over 1,100 Certificates of Appropriateness and approved over $103 million in construction permits within its boundaries. Key milestones include the adoption of several strategic plans such as the Seize the Future Master Plan, the Aurora Riverfront Vision Plan, and the RiverEdge Park Master Plan. These documents emphasize historic preservation, urban walkability, cultural vibrancy, and riverfront accessibility, while discouraging suburban-style sprawl and generic chain developments.

Design guidelines within the FoxWalk District promote pedestrian-scale architecture, reuse of historic materials, and active street-level uses like retail and dining. Building alterations and new construction must maintain historical integrity, respect architectural diversity, and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive public realm. The guidelines specifically limit blank walls, require windows and visual access at the street level, and encourage active riverfront connections with terraces, balconies, and retail spaces.

The district is divided into 30 development blocks, each evaluated for land use, historical significance, and redevelopment potential. Opportunities range from infill residential and mixed-use projects to riverfront enhancements and adaptive reuse of key buildings. Aurora Downtown, a central management organization, coordinates stakeholder engagement and incentive programs to support ongoing revitalization. This unified framework seeks to transform downtown Aurora into a lively civic, commercial, and cultural destination for residents and visitors alike.

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