Des Plaines aldermen voted 8-0 this week to approve $10.3 million in sidewalk and street repairs for next year. The money is part of a proposed five-year, $31 million capital improvement package that would benefit most areas of the city, officials said.
Aldermen previously approved $700,000 for 1999 and 2000 alley repairs. They voted Monday to spend nearly $1 million in sidewalk construction between 2001 and 2005.
Aldermen on Monday debated the merits of spending money on sidewalks over alleys.
“It’s almost coming down to finger-pointing and name-calling,” said Ald. Tom Christiansen (2nd), who argued that alleys in his ward need work.
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Aldermen also agreed that if bids come in below estimates made by City Engineer Tim Oakley, $50,000 could be spent to build about 600 feet of sidewalk in a shopping district in the 1700 block of Lee Street. That project, approved for 2002, would be moved up to 2001 if the bids allow.
Aldermen later this month are to discuss other sidewalk repair projects that could be moved up.