AN EXCITING TRANSFORMATION
Over the last few years, the Village took a proactive approach in transforming the Grand and Mannheim commercial corridor into a viable, robust location for national retail establishments and restaurants. For years, the commercial area was primarily vacant and in a floodplain. To address these issues, the Village added stormwater mitigation to reduce flooding. New roadways, accessible sidewalks, and curbs were also constructed, and commercial lots were prepared for development.
As a result, the Grand and Mannheim corridor has attracted reputable, national retailers including Starbucks, Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, AT&T, and Chase Bank making the Franklin Marketplace development a vibrant and thriving commercial area. But there is even more to tell.
New Hotel Brings Visitors, Tax Revenue and Beautification
I am excited to announce that construction will begin soon on a four-story, 110 room Wyndham Gardens Hotel on the 2.67-acre lot, just west of Mannheim Road at Grand Avenue. This hotel is serving as an anchor for other development in the area. Conveniently located near O’Hare International Airport and major highways, the everyday traveler will find the hotel comfortable and accessible. In keeping with the Village’s mission, Wyndham will be incorporating sustainable elements including a modern and attractive wood exterior with green landscaping elements, and LED lighting. The hotel also plans to incorporate operations that will lower energy and water consumption.
The Village will be adding sidewalks to connect the hotel to the existing and future retail outlets in the corridor. The entire property will be pedestrian accessible with new exterior lighting and landscaping added to further enhance the corridor.
Revitalized commercial corridors are also important revenue generators for the Village. The hotel will bring in sales tax, a 1% hotel/motel tax, and property tax. These taxes will help us hold the line on residential property taxes.
Village Wins Grant
The Village has been selected for grant funding through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. The Regional Transportation Authority’s Access to Transit Program submitted the $890,000 project on behalf of the Village which will fund the creation of a new bike path and provide improved pedestrian connections between the Village’s Metra stations and three PACE bus routes. These paths will also link to the Des Plaines River Trail to the east and the proposed Franklin Avenue Multi-Use Path westbound to the Cook/DuPage County border.
The effort will create a regional network of bicycle routes and provide safer non-vehicular access to dense employment areas and to downtown Franklin Park. Additional improvements will include 8-foot multi-use paths, shared-lane street markings, dedicated bike lanes, covered bike shelters at Metra stations and upgrades to existing paths and crossings. New sidewalks are being built where formerly none existed. Trees and grass will be planted along industrial parking lots, so residents and visitors will see more greenery, softening the view of industrial buildings.
Support for Ukraine
I was pleased to welcome Pavlo Bandriwsky, Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America IL Division to speak at a recent board meeting. The Council asked for donations of first aid kits, retired body armor, military grade helmets, and police vests. The people of Franklin Park have been incredibly supportive of, and generous to, the Ukrainian efforts to retain their independence and liberty. Let’s all continue to help in every way possible to end this unjust war.
Mayor Barrett Pedersen
For over ten years, the Village has been urging the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for a traffic light at River Road and Robinson Roads. IDOT recently completed the project which installed a left-hand turn lane and a turn arrow that will provide area residents and businesses with safe access into and out of the community. Most importantly, it will allow motorists to avoid the dangerous experience of attempting the turn onto River Road.