Two months after not approving a $3.2 million downtown streetscape improvement plan, the Clarendon Hills Village Board has unanimously approved a $1.9 million version that was scaled back.
Both proposals included a no-bid contract, something village President Eric Tech believes was a major issue with some board members in the July vote. He said the no-bid process was consistent with past major projects, including the police station and other community infrastructure developments. In addition, the firm to which the contract was awarded, Christopher Burke LLC, solicited pricing and reviewed the qualifications of the various subcontractors that would work on the project, before submitting its cost to the village, Tech said.
After the July vote failed to approve the $3.2 million project, Tech said he planned to meet, individually, with board members to determine which priorities the village should focus on moving forward.”
Assistant village manager Mera Johnson said after the failed vote, individual aspects of the plan were reviewed again.
“Specifically, getting outdoor dining out of the parking stalls and onto the sidewalk and moving electric for the stage to the north end of Prospect (Avenue),” she said.
Johnson said village staff then polled board members, individually, to see what projects they would be interested in seeing move forward.
Earlier talk about possibly removing the right-turn slip lane at the Sloan Triangle, which feeds southbound Prospect Avenue traffic onto westbound Park Avenue at the south end of the downtown area, in favor of a plaza, seemed to draw the largest amount of criticism from some residents who have expressed significant issues with the downtown redevelopment.
“The slip-lane closure has not been discussed,” Johnson said after approval of the $1.9 million contract.
The project does include using removable bollards to stop vehicles from entering at both the north and south ends of downtown during special events.
“This will eliminate the need to place dump trucks at those locations and provide a nicer look,” Johnson said,
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“At this time, staff will continue to close Prospect at Park and Ann (Street) for events,” she said. “There are no plans to close the slip lane at this time.”
The approved project also includes widening of the sidewalk area on the west side of Prospect and eliminating outdoor dining in the parking stalls. In addition, new brick pavers on the west side of Prospect, from Park to Railroad Avenue, redoing the planters at Railroad, mid-block, and adding new planters at Park.
A new electrical drop will be added at the north end to eliminate the need for a generator when a stage is at that end for live performances.
Tech said he was pleased with the outcome of the recent board vote to approve the project.
“The fact that it was a unanimous vote from the trustees demonstrates the cooperative nature and the collaboration that went into this effort,” he said. “This group of trustees has been steadfast in their desire to improve our downtown through both aesthetic and safety initiatives. Getting dining off of our roadways behind unanchored highway barricades and away from traffic is a major milestone toward creating a safe and livable downtown.
“This plan will also allow the town to create a safe and attractive space for the many concerts and festivals that the Chamber of Commerce hosts throughout the year.”
Tech took issue with comments at the Sept. 21 board meeting made by some residents, who asked what was the rush in approving the improvement plan.
“We have been discussing this for over three years now,” Tech said. “We have listened and modified the proposal multiple times based on community input. To say otherwise is simply disingenuous.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.