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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: John Russell, grant writer
DATE: Oct. 1, 2018
SUBJECT:
The Mayor's Office of Economic Development is seeking approval of a resolution of authorization to apply for a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for development of Wilder Promenade.
PURPOSE:
The present Wilder Park is two open spaces along the west shoreline of the Fox River just north of downtown, divided by River Street. The Wilder Promenade project will link those two sites by replacing the pavement with a permeable paver pathway that will be more inviting to residents. Such community events as art shows, festivals and farmers market will be held at the improved park, drawing thousands of residents to the riverside and downtown.
BACKGROUND:
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program offers up to $400,000 in funding for park development projects. The grants require a 1-to-1 match. With the City's match of $471,000, total project cost is $871,000. This will cover replacement of the street with environmentally friendly pavers; plantings of trees, shrubs, new grass and a bioswale at the site; and construction of a restroom building with a small adjacent concessions stand. The plans for creation of Wilder Promenade were part of the original RiverEdge Park Master Plan. If the grant is awarded, work on the project would begin in summer 2019 and be completed by summer 2021
DISCUSSION:
The Wilder Promenade also will serve as a trailhead for the Fox River Trail biking and hiking path. The new bridge over the Fox River from RiverEdge Park to the western shoreline of the river will connect with Wilder Promenade, providing a link to the east and west branches of the trail. The addition of the restrooms and concession stand also will make Wilder Promenade a more enjoyable place for visitors to view Aurora's annual Fourth of July Fireworks display.
The project is listed as CIP # A053 - Wilder Park.
If successful, staff will add funds into the 2019 CIP to pay for architectural and engineering costs which is estimated to be approximately $75,000. Remaining construction and development costs to complete the project within two years will be added in 2020 and 2021. During architectural and engineering work, value engineering is planned in order to save costs while meeting the vision for the park and specific items identified.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
There are no residents living along the one-block stretch of River Street that would be closed. River Street residents living to the north and south of the closed-off roadway would need to go one block west to Lake Street in order to get around Wilder Promenade.
Besides offering a place for residents to gather for any number of events, the work at Wilder Promenade also will improve the environmental conditions at the park, and along the Fox River. Permeable pavers, bioswales and the many plantings in the improved park will reduce pollutants running off the site into the Fox.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request authorization to apply for the $400,000 OSLAD grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, for improvements at Wilder Promenade.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the Mayor's Office of Economic Development to apply for a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for improvements at Wilder Promenade..
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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, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development has created a plan for improvements at Wilder Promenade that will make the park more enjoyable for use by local residents; and
WHEREAS, Wilder Promenade will be a place where residents will gather for community festivals, art shows, farmers markets and other activities; and
WHEREAS, the Wilder Promenade project also will improve the environmental condition of the park, the Fox River shoreline and the Fox River itself; and
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WHEREAS, the estimated cost of the project is $871,000; and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is offering grants of up to $400,000 for such development projects; and WHEREAS, staff will add funds into the 2019 CIP (CIP # A053 - Wilder Park) to pay for architectural and engineering costs which is estimated to be approximately $75,000. Remaining construction and development costs to complete the project within two years will be added in 2020 and 2021. During architectural and engineering work, value engineering is planned in order to save costs while meeting the vision for the park and specific items identified |
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Mayor's Office of Economic Development is authorized to apply for a $400,000 OSLAD grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, for improvements at Wilder Promenade.