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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Trevor Dick, AICP, LEED AP, Director of Development Strategy and Development
DATE: September 16, 2019
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the partnership with the Fox Valley Park District to improve the appearance of the Lake Street Corridor by allocation of funds in the amount of $30,000 to the Fox Valley Park District to expedite streetscaping and beautification along the Lake Street Corridor at the highly visible Lake Street and Illinois Avenue intersection.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of approving the resolution is to partner with the Fox Valley Park District to beautify the streetscape along Lake Street in front of the Prisco Community Center at a key intersection that has very little City-owned right-of-way. Improving the appearance of the streetscape along key corridors, such as Lake Street is has been and continues to be a goal for the City.
BACKGROUND:
Improving the appearance of Lake Street is an important goal for the City. As a key corridor off of the Interstate into the City and Downtown it’s visual impact cannot be overstated. As new developments are presented to the City along this corridor Staff has been asking for 30’ of right-of-way along the street to allow trees and landscaping to be installed.
At the intersection of Lake Street and Illinois Avenue there is very little city owned right-of-way available. The edge of the sidewalk is the property line in front of the Prisco Community Center. In an effort to partner with the City, the Fox Valley Park District approached City Staff to determine if there was an opportunity to help improve the streetscaping at the intersection of Lake Street and Illinois Avenue.
The opportunity that is presented to you for approval is a partnership between our two agencies whereby funds will be used from the City’s TIF #5 to purchase trees and plantings, and the land necessary to install the landscaping and on-going maintenance of the planting materials will be provided by the Park District.
It is the Park District’s intention to beautify the Lake Street corridor/gateway and highlight the prominent intersection of Lake Street and Illinois Avenue. The Park District proposes to utilize a combination of shade trees, ornamental shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials and an annual flower bed. The shade trees would consist of salt tolerant varieties of red maple, oak and linden, among others. These would generally be placed closest to Lake Street and Illinois Avenue but not in conflict with the overhead wires or sight lines. An ornamental bed that would include annual flowers would be placed in a location highly visible from the intersection. Beds of grasses and perennials would provide a backdrop for this bed while continuing to extend in front of both the Lake Street and Illinois Avenue facades.
To be most cost effective, the Park District would purchase the plant material directly and contract for the installation. They anticipate that Mundy Landscaping would prepare the beds; a combination of contractor and force account labor would install the shrubs, grasses and perennials.
The intent of this project is that it will be a 50/50 joint partnership with it becoming solely the Park District’s responsibility for ongoing maintenance. The Park District will be investing in an irrigation system at $19,000 upfront, and then on an annual basis will plant +/-$1,000 worth of annual flowers, and approximately $4,500 per year on general maintenance and planting bed prep/rejuvenation. The City’s contribution would be a onetime cost of $30,000. Therefore, the Park District would reach their share of $30,000 at the end of the second year with ongoing maintenance costs continuing.
DISCUSSION:
This streetscaping project helps to implement in a short amount of time the installation of new and improved landscaping not only along a key corridor into the Downtown area, but also at a highly visible intersection (Lake Street and Illinois Avenue) that has very little City-owned right-of-way. This project is an example of our strong partnerships with our fellow taxing districts such as the Fox Valley Park District that allow us to work together whenever possible to help strengthen our community.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Funds for this project will come from TIF #5 (West River Area) Fund.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends passing the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A - Lake Street and Illinois Streetscaping Project
Intergovernmental Agreement for Streetscaping Improvements
cc: Alderman O’Connor, Chairman
Alderman Bugg
Alderman Mesiacos
Alderman Mervine, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to Approve the Payment of $30,000 to the Fox Valley Park District to Be Used for the Purchase and Installation of Trees and Landscaping Materials at the Southeast Corner of the Intersection of Lake Street and Illinois Avenue in Front of the Prisco Community Center on Fox Valley Park District Property.
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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, funding will be made from TIF #5 235-1830-465-55-63; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: approval of the allocation of funds in the amount of $30,000 to the Fox Valley Park District to purchase and install trees and landscaping materials on Fox Valley Park District property to beautify a highly visible intersection that has very little city-owned right-of way.