Naperville will take over ownership of the Millennium Carillon to diminish the financial woes that have cast a shadow over the citizen-envisioned bell tower designed to usher in the new century.
The City Council last week unanimously voted in favor of the move that is a step toward completing construction of the 158-foot-high tower.
But the council stopped short of deciding how the remaining $3.3 million of work would be financed. Rather, the council authorized the release of $1.3 million from the city’s Culture Fund to contract with the Chicago consulting firm Bovis Lend Lease to secure bids for the remainder of the project.
The council agreed to debate financing the balance of the carillon at a later date and, in the meantime, directed staff to draft a report recommending options for financing.
Fundraising efforts began for the carillon in 1998 and it was dedicated in 2000. The instrument was completed, but work remains to enclose the carillon and provide public access to the top of the tower.
The Millennium Carillon Foundation overseeing completion of the tower in the years since the dedication has struggled to raise funds and last month proposed scaling back the remaining construction work to help save money on the project.
The foundation showed that the carillon could be partially enclosed and weatherproofed, allowing access by visitors in the warmer months.
Many residents said last week that they supported completion of the structure, but cautioned the council on how it should be funded.
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“The carillon represents culture. I hope you use those cultural funds to support that,” said resident Judi Buckman. “I can’t think of a better way to bring calm and peace to a busy downtown.”
Resident Richard Herrmann criticized the foundation’s past efforts, saying there was no guarantee that an additional $3.3 million would complete the work, and he expressed concerns that taxpayers would have to bear the costs.