TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Trevor Dick, Director of Development Strategy and Facilitation
DATE: February 7, 2019
SUBJECT:title
Requesting a discussion for an upcoming grant submittal to the State of Illinois to improve accessibility for disabled patrons at RiverEdge Park.
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PURPOSE:
Before submitting for the grant, City Staff would like to make the Finance Committee aware of the application including its benefits. If successful in receiving the grant, City Staff would then work through the Finance Committee to request a budget transfer for the City's matching share of $51,000.
BACKGROUND:
The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development will be seeking a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to ease the accessibility for disabled patrons of the many concerts and community festivals at RiverEdge Park. The Promotion of Illinois Tourism grant would create more parking for handicapped concert-goers, and provide ADA-accessible golf cars to transport these patrons from the parking lot to the concert venue. Also as part of the project, there will be improvements made to the main entrance/exit gate (Gate #2) at RiverEdge to create a new ADA access/egress point.
DISCUSSION:
A 1-to-1 match is required, with the total cost of the project at $101,000. The grant submittal includes the following: the purchase of three (3) accessible golf cars; improvements to entrance/exit gate (Gate #2); improvements to the curb and sidewalk; ADA platform replacements; and the purchase of ADA companion seats and racks.
City Staff has discussed this idea with key stakeholders including the Police Department, Fire Department, ACCA, and Public Works, and all are in support of this approach to improving accessibility to the park.
Staff will also be meeting with the Advisory Commission on Disabilities at their February 11, 2019 meeting to seek their input and support.
If successful, the purchases and the improvements would be completed in early Summer 2019.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
If successful, the City will be receiving $50,000 from the State, and City Staff will be requesting a budget transfer of $51,000 for the City match.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We request approval from the Finance Committee to pursue a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to ease the accessibility for disabled patrons of the many concerts and community festivals at RiverEdge Park
cc: Finance Committee
Alderman Robert J. O'Connor
Alderman Edward J. Bugg
Alderman Theodoros C. Mesiacos
Alderman Richard B. Mervine