Members of the Cook County Revolving Loan Fund Coalition for Brownfield Remediation met in Franklin Park.

Cook County Revolving Loan Fund for Brownfield Remediation Opens Door for New Redevelopment Opportunities

On October 16, 2019, representatives from the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability and Weaver Consultants Group provided information to members of the Cook County Revolving Loan Fund Coalition for Brownfield Remediation.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), a brownfield is a property where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.  The coalition includes Bellwood, Franklin Park, Schiller Park, and other Cook County municipalities where brownfield sites may qualify for loans for cleanup and remediation.

The meeting provided updates on the loan program where members were informed that projects that are ready for remediation and redevelopment are being prioritized.  The goal of this revolving loan fund is to revitalize contaminated sites within eligible municipalities in order to attract employers to redevelop problem properties, leverage existing transportation and logistics assets, generate living wage jobs, and create new public open green space.  With these goals, the County and participating municipalities will foster livable, vibrant communities that are safe, healthy, and amenity-rich for all residents by bringing brownfield sites to productive uses.

If you know of any brownfield sites within Franklin Park that may be eligible for redevelopment through this loan, contact the Community Development Department at (847) 671-8276 for more information.

Additional information on the program can be accessed here: Cook County - Brownfield Redevelopment

Learn more about past projects here: Cook County Brownfield Redevelopment Story Map

Students from Leyden High School District 212 toured the Franklin Park facilities of Digital Realty (top) and Sloan Valve (bottom). 

Manufacturing Day Connects Students with Local Industrial Businesses

The Village of Franklin Park partnered with Leyden High School District 212 and local businesses on October 4, 2019 to celebrate Manufacturing Day.  The national event addresses common misconceptions about manufacturing and industrial operations by providing businesses an opportunity to open their doors to the public. This year, students from Leyden High School District 212 were able to tour Digital Realty and Sloan Valve. Participating students toured the manufacturing floor and offices of each business and were able to ask questions about day-to-day operations, technical training requirements, and advancement opportunities.

The event aims to attract future manufacturing workers to fill the industry’s shortage of skilled labor, improve the public image of manufacturing and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing Day event builds on a larger Village initiative to address workforce challenges in the industry by connecting manufacturers, training agencies, and prospective workers. 

The Trail Advisory Group (TAG) has walked segments of the Des Plaines River Trail to identify opportunities for improvement and potential alternate routes.

Des Plaines River Trail Redevelopment

The Des Plaines River Trail Improvements project took another step forward in June as a variety of community, municipal, and county organizations met to discuss new and improved trail route options.

The effort is being spearheaded by the Intergovernmental Coalition of the Des Plaines River Trail which consists of the West Central Municipal Conference, Village of Franklin Park, Village of Rosemont, City of Des Plaines, City of Park Ridge, Village of River Grove, Village of Elmwood Park, and the Village of Schiller Park.

The Des Plaines River Trail Improvements project has received $721,000 of STP funds allocated from the North Central Council of Mayors, $240,000 from the Cook County “Invest in Cook” grant, $1,030,000 from the West Central Municipal Conference, and $100,000 from the Chicago Community Trust. Together, this money has funded Phase I engineering and planning undertaken by Active Transportation Alliance & Christopher B. Burke Engineering (CBBEL) of Rosemont.

In order to address the chronic issues of flooding, disrepair, and unsafe road crossings that have been afflicting the Des Plaines River Trail for years, key stakeholders have formed the Trail Advisory Group (TAG) to work with CBBEL to identify potential route alternatives and trail improvements. TAG includes representatives from the aforementioned municipalities and organizations; as well as the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and other Chicagoland area groups. Moreover, TAG has been looking to expand the trail from its current terminus at North Avenue to the Illinois Prairie Path and Miller Meadow near Forest Park.  

When completed and connected to existing trailways, the Des Plaines River Trail would extend from the Wisconsin border to the Stevenson Expressway—a distance of 50+ miles! Such an ambition corresponds with CMAP’s ON TO 2050 Plan of a continuous Greenway and Trails network for Northeastern Illinois.

Zoning Code Rewrite

In late 2018, the Village of Franklin Park Board of Trustees formally approved funding for the rewrite of the Franklin Park Zoning Code. The current iteration of the zoning code was written in 1974 and has been amended countless times over the past 45 years, but not on a comprehensive level. The new code will take several plans into consideration that have been adopted over the years including the Franklin Park Downtown Zoning Code (2014), the Franklin Park O’Hare Industrial Plan (2014), and the Franklin Park Comprehensive Plan (2017). 

At the May 20, 2019 Board of Trustees Meeting, Director of Community Development and Zoning, John Schneider, introduced Arista Strungys of Camiros to announce our partnership in this endeavor.  Camiros provides a full range of services in the areas of planning, zoning, urban design, economic development, and landscape architecture. Founded in 1976 and located in Chicago, they have provided services to over 250 communities across the United States. 

The Department of Community Development and Zoning held a kickoff meeting with Camiros on June 14, 2019 to discuss the zoning code and tour the Village.  Together, it is our goal to comprehensively rewrite and modernize the Franklin Park Zoning Code using user-friendly elements while still respecting existing development.

Check back for updates on this project to learn how you can get involved!

PUBLIC NOTICE OF SALE OF SURPLUS REAL PROPERTY AT 9150-9158 WEST GRAND AVENUE OWNED BY THE VILLAGE OF FRANKLIN PARK

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Village of Franklin Park adopted Resolution No. 1920-R-05 declaring a parcel of real property as surplus property and authorizing the sale of the surplus property.

In accordance with Resolution 1920-R-05, the Village is accepting proposals for the sale and redevelopment of the parcel of real property located at 9150-9158 West Grand Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois (the “Property”) until 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Written proposals for the acquisition and redevelopment of the Property shall be submitted to John Schneider, Director of Community Development, Department of Community Development, Village of Franklin Park, 9500 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131.  Written proposals will be reviewed as submitted but no earlier than Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Every written proposal must identify a purchase price, a proposed use for the Property in compliance with the I-1 Restricted Industrial District and provide for the redevelopment and occupancy of the building. Every written proposal shall agree to the following: 1) demolish and remove the cinder block structure in the rear of 9158 Grand Avenue to provide paved parking on the Property; 2) undertake all necessary repairs and improvements to ensure that the building and Property is in full compliance with building, property maintenance, electrical, plumbing and fire code requirements, including the installation of a sprinkler system or approved fire wall, if applicable. Sale of the Property will require the execution of a purchase and sale agreement with the Village.

The appraised value of the Property is $175,000.00.  A copy of the appraisal of the Property is available for inspection in the Office of the Village Clerk, Village of Franklin Park, Village Hall, 9500 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131 and on the Village’s website at www.villageoffranklinpark.com.  Further information about the Property can also be obtained from the Department of Community Development.

Full Resolution can be accessed here: 

9150 Grand Avenue Public Notice and Resolution

Appraisal of 9150 Grand Avenue can be accessed here:

9150 Grand Avenue Appraisal

Franklin Avenue Reconstruction Receives Grant from IDOT 

In June of 2018, the Village of Franklin Park received a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for $22,960,000 for the reconstruction of Franklin Avenue from Runge Street to Williams Drive and through to Belmont Avenue to Mannheim Road. The Village finished first in the state for the Competitive Freight Program. In addition to the funding received from IDOT, the Village has received commitments from the “Invest in Cook” grant, awarded by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, for $340,000 and from the North Central Council of Mayors for $2,040,000 for the Phase I and II engineering.  In total, the project will cost approximately $31 million.

The proposed Franklin Avenue Reconstruction project will allow Franklin Avenue, Williams Street, and a portion of Belmont Avenue to meet the increased demands of the region’s growing industry.

New Pace Bus Shelters

In May of 2018, the Village of Franklin Park and Pace Suburban Bus Service entered into an agreement to install bus shelters throughout the Village. The shelters will be constructed, maintained and repaired by Pace. In total, there will be 18 new bus shelters installed along major routes that include Mannheim Road, Grand Avenue, and 25th/Rose Avenue. Village residents and visitors will now have the ability to wait for buses under a secure shelter and be covered from the elements.

Video of Ridge Development Ribbon Cutting

The Village of Franklin Park celebrated the completion of a new 178,516 square foot industrial speculative building by Ridge Development at the corner of Belmont, Elm, and River Road. Ridge Development had purchased the site at 9100 Belmont Avenue from multiple owners, including the Village. One of the parcels was formerly a brownfield, but was assessed under funding from the Cook County Brownfield Assessment project. The building is available for sale or lease. Watch the above video for an overview of the project, comments by Mayor Pedersen, and footage from the event.

Active Transportation Alliance Gives Bike Racks to Village

Active Transportation Alliance has provided three new bicycle racks for the Village of Franklin Park. Two of the racks were installed downtown on Franklin Avenue, and one was installed at East Leyden High School’s athletic complex on King Street. Previously, there was no bike parking at any of these locations. Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit advocacy organization that works to improve conditions for bicycling, walking and transit. The bike racks were funded through grant dollars that Active Transportation Alliance uses to help communities with their policy implementation.

Village Celebrates New 367,000 SF Industrial Speculative Development by Molto Properties

The Village of Franklin Park celebrated the construction of a new 367,000 SF industrial speculative development by Molto Properties with a ribbon-cutting in early November of 2016. The new building at 10501 Seymour Avenue will be followed by construction of a second 106,000 SF industrial speculative building on the same site. Molto founder and senior principal Todd Naccarato discussed the project with Crain’s in 2015: “We're seeing substantial increases in rents, because these kinds of buildings are in demand right now. What we're seeing is, now that we're coming out of a recession a number of businesses are growing and want to expand. There's demand for newer buildings.” Colliers International is currently seeking industrial users for the new space, which is located across the street from O’Hare Airport and less than a mile to I-294 and the I-90 interchange.

From left to right: Dan Abdo (Glazier Corporation), John Schneider (Director of Community Development and Zoning), Trustee Bill Ruhl, Mayor Barrett Pedersen, Trustee Cheryl McLean, Trustee John Johnson and Matt Baer (Chipotle).

Groundbreaking Held for Commercial Development on Grand and Mannheim

The Village of Franklin Park held a groundbreaking to celebrate the start of construction of Glazier Corporation’s retail development on the corner of Mannheim Road and Crown Road, just north of Grand Avenue, which is now underway. Glazier closed on the 42,000 SF vacant site in October to develop a 3-unit retail center fronting Mannheim Road. Chipotle and T-Mobile have already signed leases for the space. Glazier plans on working through the winter, weather permitting, and expects the development to be operational by summer of 2017. 

Local business owners and operators learn about available workforce programs and services from regional agencies at the 2016 Franklin Park Workforce Training Forum. 

Local Businesses Attend the 2016 Franklin Park Workforce Training Forum

Mayor Barrett F. Pedersen and the Village of Franklin Park held a Franklin Park Workforce Training Forum on July 14, 2016. This free event put business owners and operators in direct contact with workforce training agencies to help them address various challenges in workforce development and training. Participating workforce agencies included: The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), the Alliance for Industry and Manufacturing (AIM), the Illinois Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT), the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), Triton College and the Franklin Park / Schiller Park / River Grove Chamber by O'Hare. You can read more about this successful event in a Chicago Tribune article. Visit the Franklin Park Workforce Training webpage for information on the workforce agencies the Village partners with.

Commissioner Peter Silvestri, Congressman Mike Quigley, Mayor Barrett Pedersen, Commissioner Sean Morrison and Northlake's Mayor Jeffrey Sherwin at the 2016 Annual Business Appreciation Luncheon.

2016 Annual Business Appreciation Luncheon

The Village of Franklin Park hosted its 2016 Annual Franklin Park Business Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, April 22 at Pescatore Palace. Representatives from businesses, organizations and government agencies were in attendance. The event's guest speaker, Congressman Mike Quigley, spoke on various economic development initiatives occurring at the Federal level and their significance for Franklin Park's business community. Speaking on behalf of one of Franklin Park’s newer companies, Angelo Lollino of Alamode Foods spoke on the benefits of locating his business in Franklin Park as the supplier of gelato and coffee products to all Mariano's store cafes. Elected officials and representatives from the State of Illinois, Cook County, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and various workforce training agencies were present to provide information and take questions and comments from local businesses.