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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Jill N. Morgan, Senior Planner and Nicole Mullins, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: August 22, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Funding and Merchandise License Agreement with the Aurora Historical Society to allow for the raising and contributing of funds to support the eventual restoration of the Northgate Sign within the Northgate Shopping Center located at 902 N. Lake Street
PURPOSE:
The Aurora Historic Society is requesting to enter into a Funding and Merchandise License Agreement which would allow the Aurora Historical Society to raise funds through fundraising, donations, and selling merchandise, in order to collaborate with the City to facilitate the restoration of the Northgate Sign.
BACKGROUND:
The City is pursuing a separate Property Conveyance and Donation Agreement with the owner of the Northgate Shopping Center to acquire a small portion of the property containing the Northgate Sign. The owners intends to donate the parcel to the City so that the City can restore the Northgate Sign and create a landscaped and hardscaped bed around the sign for small interpretive signage. The City will pursue various means to financially support the restoration of the sign, including pursing state and federal grants.
The Aurora Historical Society is offering to assist in the restoration efforts by working collaboratively with the City and Community-based partners to raise funds in an amount sufficient to fund the restoration. They will fundraise, collect donations, sell merchandise bearing the name, design, image, or likeness of the Sign, etc. All funds raised for the Restoration will be disbursed solely for the cost of the restoration.
The Agreement outlines a preliminary budget of $305,000 for the project, which includes $225,000 for the sign restoration, $35,000 for electrical connection, and $45,000 for site improvements. The amount is an estimate based upon some initial estimates obtained from several sign companies; however, the final budget amount could exceed or fall below the estimate depending on selected contractor, engineering recommendations, and final project scope.
DISCUSSION:
Harry Stoner, a prominent Aurora businessman purchased the land in 1946 and opened the center in the mid-1950s, which quickly became a destination shopping center. The Northgate sign was erected in the mid-1950s. The sign was renovated to its original style in c. 1986 by Federal Sign. The Northgate Sign is an example of Googie design, an architectural style influenced by the space race, the atomic age, and the rise of automobile culture. Googie architecture embraced motion, neon illumination, geometric shapes, and futuristic forms. The Northgate Sign stands as Aurora’s own roadside icon and is a cherished memory for many residents. The sign was designated as a Local Landmark in 1988 for possessing unique design characteristics and a recognized visual feature.
The Agreement does not obligate either the Historical Society of the City to complete the restoration of the sign and the Agreement can be terminated upon 90 day written notice. The Agreement will allow for fundraising for the project while the Property Conveyance and Donation Agreement will allow for the city to pursue grants for the restoration.
The City is still working on the Property Conveyance and Donation Agreement with the owner. The current drafts outlines the donation of the sign and surrounding property and removing at their expense the existing pole sign with digital message board. The City and Historical Society will also be permitted to fundraise for the project at the Northgate Shopping Center.
While a historic feature, the neon component of the sign was a constant maintenance issue for the owners, leading to deterioration of the sign over the years and eventual shutting off the lights. While the sign advertises Northgate, it has become more important for its historic significance than for providing useful advertisement for the stores. Due to the substantial cost in restoring the sign and being more important to the community than providing needed advertisement, the City is pursuing ownership of the sign. This will allow the City to pursue collaborative efforts to fundraise for the restoration while also pursuing grants that are only available to government entities.
The project is being coordinated with a future outlot anticipated at the entrance into the shopping center. Any future outlot would be required to incorporate a 30-foot setback along Lake Street between the two entrances to the shopping center. The creation of a landscape/hardscape bed will be incorporated nicely into that future setback.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Zoning and Planning Division would anticipate that this project will increase the City’s overall viability by facilitating investment and development by repairing a structure that has become deteriorated and will encourage additional investment into the City by bringing residents and those who grew up in Aurora to the area to see the newly renovated sign that they cherish from their childhood memories.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends APPROVAL of A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Funding and Merchandise License Agreement with the Aurora Historical Society to allow for the raising and contributing of funds to support the eventual restoration of the Northgate Sign within the Northgate Shopping Center located at 902 N. Lake Street.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Funding and Merchandise License Agreement
cc:
Alderman Ted Mesiacos, Chairperson
Alderman Carl Franco, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Daniel Barreiro
Alderman Keith Larson
Alderman Edward Bugg
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Funding and Merchandise License Agreement with the Aurora Historical Society to allow for the raising and contributing of funds to support the eventual restoration of the Northgate Sign within the Northgate Shopping Center located at 902 N. Lake Street
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, on the Aurora Historical Society filed with the City of Aurora a request to enter into a Funding and Merchandise License Agreement which would allow the Aurora Historical Society to raise funds through fundraising, donations, and selling merchandise, in order to collaborate with the City to facilitate the restoration of the Northgate Sign.and related required documents as attached hereto as Exhibits "A"; and
WHEREAS, for reasons set forth in the Agreement the City and the Aurora Historical Society wish to enter into said attached Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Mayor and City Clerk be and are hereby authorized to execute the Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "A."
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Clerk be directed to file and keep on record said Agreement and a certified copy of this Resolution.