On February 7, 2022 the Village Board approved a contract with Haeger Engineering for design services for the Downtown Paver Brick Program.  The project design includes the downtown train station, the public sidewalk crossings of the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way at Evergreen Avenue, Dunton Avenue, and Vail Street, and updating the brick sidewalk on Wing Street from Vail Avenue to Chestnut Avenue.  The project is in the process of obtaining right-of-entry authorization from Union Pacific and is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2023. 

The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) announced a call for projects which is a funding opportunity for bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects.  An ITEP Grant will fund 80% of the construction and construction engineering for the project with 20% to be paid for with local funds.  Therefore, the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department is pursuing this grant opportunity to fund the construction and construction engineering.

To qualify for this funding opportunity, it is necessary to obtain a resolution from the Village Board committing to cover its share (20%) of the construction and construction engineering expenses, plus any additional amounts as may be required for the Village’s share of the project costs. 

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Resolution committing to cover its share (20%) of the design construction and construction engineering expenses, plus any additional amounts as may be required for the Village’s share of the project costs, if this project is selected for an ITEP grant be adopted by the Village Board.