Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

Milwaukee Avenue Beautification MEETING SUMMARY October 19, 2009 The following persons were present: Chair Kim Biederman, Trustee Louella Preston, Chuck Ostman, Steve Vinezeano, Jeff Pisha of SEC, Akram Ghaudhry of SEC, Bob Pilat, Mike Shields, Steve Caroselli of SEC, and Todd Destree of SEC. I. Construction Update from SEC – Steve Caroselli: Introductions were made around the table. The Chair asked for a status update to see where the project (streetscape) is at. It was understood that there was a delay on the reconstruction side of the project. Akram mentioned that Steve was running the project for SEC, but that he was retiring and Todd Destree will be replacing him. The first part of the project was complicated due to all of the underground work that was required. Early on the project, the State (IDOT) misplaced project information resulting in the contractor not being paid their required mobilization funding. This delayed the project two weeks till June. The project started with the water main installation and partially the way up on Milwaukee a Nicor Gas main (4”) that was not located by Nicor caused a work stoppage of three weeks and some unforeseen problems for residents and businesses. Following this was the uncovering of two unknown underground storage tanks that required delays and additional costs due to environmental remediation. The Village is requesting additional funding from IDOT to get these tanks removed. One tank is just north of Harts Road and one tank is near the Police Department. SEC seems to think the tanks were ignored in the past due to standard operating procedures of the past. The EPA is involved. A special casing was added to the water main to prevent contamination of the water system near the south tank. The meeting that occurred last Thursday was brought up. This meeting was not an official meeting and was setup last minute by Andrew Przybylo for some residents and business owners in the area (about 100). The Village Manager, SEC, Dipalo Construction and Scott Jochim attended this meeting to give an update. The concerns voiced were: traffic in front of Eagle Point Condos, no traffic signal at the intersection (this has been requested by the Village on behalf of these residents and businesses, but IDOT will not allow it), no crosswalks to bus stop on west side, and the problems caused by the gas leak with Nicor. Regarding the streetscape project, the difficult roadway work, which was more complex, is now behind us and the streetscape work may now begin. Some of the light poles have been painted while the street is blocked off. The pedestrian street lights and other amenities will be installed in the spring due to the delays with the construction. June is the month they hope to be complete. The traffic signals at Harts Road will be all new. The Touhy/Milwaukee signals will be changed out and some painted black by Waukegan. The fountain area should be straightened up (pavers, etc.) by the end of this season to be completed by June. There was a question brought up to Mr. Ostman regarding the collection of funds for the right of way improvements. $50k was collected by the project south of Touhy, yet not all of it can be released to the beautification project due to some other work done by the developers already. Dipalo will be storing some of their equipment in the empty lot north of Harts Road. Akrum mentioned that $200k may be freed up from the project (grant funds) that should stay with the project and he is working with the State to make it happen. This would then be added to the $475,000 from Jan Schakowsky’s office and possibly ITEP. Improvements south of Neva on private property. Money has been put aside for the small improvements in front of the businesses just south of Neva on the west side of the street. This must be okay with the property owners. Chuck Ostman will meet with them and ensure a temporary permit is secured for the work. There was some discussion regarding the direction of the Village and the Milwaukee Avenue Beautification project. There is a thought that the Village may need to rethink the next phase and try to get a façade program for businesses. It was mentioned that all the funds that ever have come to Milwaukee beautification has been “earmarked” for beautification projects. These are not funds that can be used for façade programs. There have been programs such as that in the past, but the grant funding has not been available. There is still a strong interest to move forward with Milwaukee Avenue beautification due to the current and future grant funding, the revitalization effort (chicken and egg) to improve the corridor for business, and the future Arterial Rapid Transit System being proposed by PACE. The street lights were discussed further. The cost for painting the lights started at $1k per pole, but fell to $450 or so per pole. IDOT does not want the Village to paint the poles from Neva to Monroe or Greenwood due to the established project that ends at Neva. This will have to be part of a future project. II. Funding Update for Phase II: The group briefly discussed the federal funds from Jan Schakowsky. These funds require an $119,000 match by the Village or another grant. The Village is hoping that ITEP will come through for this or, as discussed earlier, the $200k being freed up in phase I being completed in June 2010. The Village hopes to hear about ITEP funding within the next month. At that time, the Beautification Committee may reconvene to start discussion for phase II. III. What is Phase II?: This will depend on new funding. IV. Niles Chamber Banner Program: It was unknown if the Chamber Banner program was dead or not. The Chamber has met twice with the Board of Trustees and no decision was made. Mr. Ostman recommended that he, Kim, Louella, and the Chamber (Katie) meet to discuss the program once again.