The Village of La Grange revealed its proposed Capital Projects Fund for FY 2024-2025 at the regular Board meeting Monday, and for the second consecutive year, called for a $2.5 million contribution to the Fund.
Part of the proposal provided hope for one Village resident.
“Tonight I see a glimmer of hope, I’ve heard the phrase ‘North of 47th’ mentioned with concrete numbers and a report from the engineer due in April,” Laura West, who lives near the corner of Sunset and Elm avenues, said. “I’m optimistic and excited. I know there’s a lot of work going on, and I really appreciate the time and hard work. These are difficult problems.”
The area has been the scene of severe flooding in recent years, prompting West and her neighbors to be regular speakers at Board meetings.
During the proposal presentation, Public Works Director Richard Colby noted the $140,000 allocated the previous year for reviewing and updating plans for the area north of 47th Street.
Other highlights of the proposals are:
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-$700,000 towards Phase II engineering design for a construction bid for 50th Street project laterals. The total construction cost is estimated at $11.8 million. The Village is pursuing grant money, to help defray the costs, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), the State of Illinois, and Cook County.
—The preparation of a Task Order for utilizing funds from both this year’s budget and the 2024-2025 budget for sewer televising and cleaning program for the Village sewer system.
— $250,000 for new sewer pipe (in addition to $350,000 from the Sewer Fund) for sewer repair work. The latest estimates for identified sewer repairs total $8,668,400. Repairs are broken down as follows: priority (298,700), mid-term ($3,299,900), and non-intermediate ($5,069,800).
— Streetscape improvements include $718,400 for resurfacing projects for Brainard and Shawmut avenues. The total construction costs of the project will be $2.6 million, with $1,944,000 coming from federal sources.
— $200,000 for street patching.
Village President Mark Kuchler noted the money being transferred from the General Fund to the Capital Fund represented the Board’s focus on maintaining village infrastructure.
“In the last two years, this Board has said ‘We are committed to capital and infrastructure and we have dedicated $2.5 million,” he said. “It’s one and a half times what it has contributed in the past.”
The next Village of La Grange Board of Trustees meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., March 11, at La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.