Infrastructure and Street Improvement Update
Safe streets and reliable infrastructure are the foundation of a strong community. The Board of Trustees and I have a firm commitment to keeping our Village in a state of good repair. That is how we keep our property values stable and attract more investment and jobs to Franklin Park. Thanks to Illinois’ recently passed Capital Plan, Build Illinois, over $1.3 million will go directly to the Village of Franklin Park for important safety and infrastructure projects.
New Traffic Light at George and Grand Avenue
Installation of new traffic signal will improve traffic safety by helping motorists exit the Jewel parking lot where many accidents and injuries have occurred.
Safe, Efficient Drinking Water
The Village’s infrastructure study determined the Curtis Street pump station is old, in disrepair and providing little benefit to our Village. The new funds will be used to close the Curtis Street facility and prepare the King Street pump station to efficiently provide safe drinking water to the Village.
Additional Metra Parking
Build Illinois funds will also support creating Metra commuter parking at the site of the old police station on Belmont Avenue. In addition, we will demolish the Leyden News Agency building near the Metra lot and pave the area to add even more commuter parking. These parking expansions will help keep our residential streets clear from commuter parking. Expanded parking also encourages mass transit use, relieves traffic congestion and helps our environment.
Update on Reuter and Naples Subdivisions
Work has been progressing in the Reuter Subdivision to replace under-sized storm water sewers and provide better storm water drainage. Underground work for the sewer and water main reconstruction along Reuter Street to 25th Avenue and from Johanna Avenue to Nevada Avenue has been completed. To continue the enhancement of the area, portions of the completed areas will be landscaped and final paving will begin this month. This fall, the Reuter Subdivision Phase 2 will begin on Leona Street from Johanna to Richard.
This project includes a new water main, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and a total street reconstruction. This work is expected to be completed in the fall of 2020. The replacement of these storm sewers will increase drainage capacity and help alleviate flooding or water accumulation. In the spring of 2020, the Reuter / Naples Phase 3&4 will commence and will include a new water main, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and total road reconstruction. The Village has been approved for an IEPA low interest loan for the water and sewer portion of the project and the 1% sales tax funds will fund street reconstruction.
2019 Street Improvement Projects
In accordance with the Village’s comprehensive pavement analysis of all streets in Franklin Park, the Board has dedicated the 1% sales tax for street and infrastructure repairs. This has enabled us to bring our streets into repair without further burdening the property tax. Projects from this year include:
- Reconstruction of the frontage road from Melrose Avenue to Wolf Road.
- Resurfacing of Seymour Avenue from Carnation Street to Centrella Street.
- Resurfacing of Scott Street from Waveland Avenue to Addison Street and partial resurfacing from Addison to Pacific Avenue. This work begins in September and will be done in combination with improvements to two alleys between Birch Street and the CN Railroad tracks, north and south of Chestnut Street.
Coming Soon -- 2020 Improvements
The Village has been working on plans for street improvement projects for next year too. We will focus on roadway improvements near Leyden High School. Improvements are slated for Panoramic Drive from Mannheim Road to Dora Street, on Nichols Avenue, Davis Avenue, Addison Street from 25th Street to Nichols, Britta Avenue, Kimmey Court, Hacke Court, Nerbonne Avenue, and Leyden Court. Improvements will be complete by the fall of 2020.
A Year of Giving
Franklin Park’s Year of Giving has resulted in increased volunteerism and participation in community projects. Channel 5, the local NBC affiliate WMAQ and Telemundo recognized our community’s spirit of giving and profiled Franklin Park in June, 2019. Every day, our police officers and firefighters place themselves in harm’s way for our safety. And they also volunteer their time in many charity events throughout the year. Every year, as we solemnly commemorate the 9/11 attacks on our country, we are also asked to honor all First Responders. Please join me in taking an opportunity to thank OUR First Responders for all they do.
Mayor Barrett Pedersen