Elmwood Park and River Forest to collaborate, seek state funds for … – Chicago Tribune

A plan to beautify the streets and sidewalks along the Elmwood Park and River Forest border at North Avenue is moving forward after encountering some initial funding problems.
On Dec. 5, the Elmwood Park Village Board approved an engineering services contract for the North Avenue Streetscape Project, which is intended to “make a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly environment along this economic retail, commercial and transportation corridor,” according to the document.
The board also approved an intergovernmental agreement to split all costs with neighboring River Forest, including the contract fee of $274,303.
“North Avenue is home to Elmwood Park’s ‘Restaurant Row’ and sees a tremendous amount of pedestrian traffic,” Elmwood Park Village President Angelo Saviano said. “We’re very pleased to partner with our friends in River Forest to enhance the safety and charm of the street and we look forward to the completion of the project.”
The River Forest village president praised her town’s partnership with Elmwood Park, expecting that moving the design engineering along will improve the two towns’ chances of getting a state grant.
“North Avenue is the border between our villages, and both Elmwood Park and River Forest believe that beautifying that street is in the best interests of all our residents,” River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci said.
According to Elmwood Park Village Manager Paul Volpe, the town twice applied for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program funds but did not receive any grant funding either time.
“The DCEO (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) staff indicated that our application would be more competitive if we completed the Phase I engineering,” Volpe said. “Considering that, both towns agreed that it is a worthwhile effort and expense to complete the Phase I engineering. We are hopeful that will assist us in being awarded grant funding for this project.”
Volpe said it was too early to estimate the costs of subsequent Phase II and III final engineering and construction.
The streetscape project area encompasses a mile-long segment of West North Avenue between Harlem and Thatcher avenues. It is a busy four-lane thoroughfare with curb parking and primarily residential buildings and businesses on both the north and south sides of the street.
The design engineering has been contracted with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, of Rosemont, which estimated 18 months for the completion of the work.
“Right now, we are just beginning the initial engineering for this proposed project,” Burke Vice-President Orion Galey said. “It primarily consists of topographic survey, preliminary engineering and feasibility studies.”
Anxious for the project to move forward, Adduci said she was hopeful that design engineering would be completed in 12 months instead of 18.
According to the project proposal, improvements could include street curb “bump-outs” where the curb is extended at a corner as a traffic calming measure. Many of the numerous corners within the project route would also receive upgrades for handicapped use, such as curb ramps with traction treading.
The proposal also calls for new trees, bus stop enhancements, curb line modifications and gateway and wayfinding signs. It specifies that the existing roadway lane configuration would not change and most of the large trees on the south side of the street would remain.
A preliminary conceptual drawing from Burke Engineering indicated that the project could include porous paver walkways and carriage walk pavers replacing some existing sections of concrete sidewalk. Small raised planter gardens could be installed on both sides of the street and several new streetlights and pedestrian-level lights would be placed in spots.
The drawing indicated that a median dividing North Avenue just west of Harlem Avenue would be upgraded with landscape plants.
The Burke proposal document stated that DCEO made a $27 million appropriation in 2021 to the city of Chicago, Oak Park and Elmwood Park “for costs associated with North Avenue Streetscape and business development.” The proposals states that Elmwood Park and River Forest officials have met with state Representative Camille Lilly’s office to discuss the project.
Lilly’s office did not respond to Pioneer Press requests for more information on the state funding.
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, whose 5th Congressional District encompasses the entire North Avenue Streetscape Project, declined to comment.
According to the project proposal, surveys and informational meetings will be conducted with the public, property owners and business stakeholders to determine problems or possible improvements.
“These will be pedestrian-friendly improvements for residents of both villages,” Adduci said. “Both River Forest and Elmwood Park villages border several other towns and Chicago, so the more we can do together, collaboratively, the better off we all are. If our two towns can do something together, then we should be doing it.”
Gary Gibula is a freelancer.
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