Orland Hills officials are hoping Santa fills their municipal stocking with a $50,000 grant.
In this case, Santa is the State of Illinois, which holds the key to funding for the municipality to convert its former Village Hall, 16795 S. 94th Ave., into a computer resource center for residents.
“If we get that money, obviously we’re going to go forward,” Trustee Dave Diggs said recently.
Diggs said he came up with the idea for the facility after discovering that high demand made it difficult for his daughter’s friend to get computer access at the Tinley Park Public Library, which serves Orland Hills.
“The concept has a great deal of merit,” Village Administrator John Daly said. “I think it’s just a matter of time before it happens.”
Village officials expect to learn by year’s end whether they will receive any of the $50,000 for which they have applied, Diggs said.
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Orland Hills moved its government offices and police operations into a new building at 16033 S. 94th Ave. in June 1995, Daly said, leaving the 1960s-era, onetime single-family, three-bedroom residence empty. The former police station next door was demolished a few years ago.
“It’s in wonderful shape,” Daly said of the former municipal hall, noting the village has continued maintaining the structure.
Though Diggs said he would “love to see 50” computers hooked up at some point, he said Orland Hills specified 12 in its grant request. The grant cannot be used for rehabbing expenses, he said.
The cost of the project might reach $80,000, he said.