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La Grange eyes $5 million in special projects
Updated: April 1, 2013 2:05AM
LA GRANGE — Sewer, street and sidewalk improvements are among the capital projects totaling $5 million proposed for 2013-14.
The list of projects includes $80,000 for a new roof for the Village Hall, $35,000 to replace the fountain next door, $155,000 to combat the emerald ash borer and $885,000 to renovate the Stone Avenue Station.
The list also earmarks $2. 5 million for the Maple Avenue Relief Sewer project, $240,000 for pedestrian safety along 47th Street and $378,000 for neighborhood street resurfacing.
A number of the projects will be financed by grants, Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham told the Village Board Jan. 28, such as $1.1 million for the train depot renovation and $454,000 to replace a commuter parking lot near the Stone Avenue station.
Board members questioned Gillingham’s recommendation to put on hold spending $1.1 million for the Ogden Avenue Relief Sewer Project when the Park Dis trict of La Grange plans to perform drainage and sewer work in 2013 on Gordon Park, northeast of Ogden Avenue and La Grange Road.
Tearing up the area only once would make sense, board members said.
Sufficient funds for the Ogden project aren’t available this year, considering other budget priorities, Gillingham said. Plans are being coordinated with the park district to allow generous easements so that nothing significant is disturbed when the sewer project eventually is under way, he said.
Plans to relieve flooding in the south of 47th Street still are moving forward, but have proved a challenge to coordinate with 20 different government and planning entities, Gillingham said. A comprehensive solution is estimated at $22 million, and ways to coordinate an engineering study are being explored, he said.
Village staff members are working with state officials to reallocate $240,000 earmarked for a pedestrian bridge over Ogden Avenue at La Grange Road to use instead on pedestrian safety improvements on 47th Street at 9th Avenue and Waiola Avenue and on La Grange Road at 52nd Street.
Trustee Mark Kuchler questioned the effect of a proposed traffic signal at 47th Street and East Avenue, whether that would send more traffic to the west at the sites of the enhanced crossings.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is conducting a public hearing on the light to detail plans and solicit feedback from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road.
