Oak Park trustees on Monday told village staff to seek out options to pay for an infrastructure and streetscape project on Lake Street between Harlem and Euclid avenues that could range from $8.7 million to $14.5 million.
Several versions of what could be done to the business corridor were presented at a special board meeting by The Lakota Group, of Chicago, which worked closely with the Downtown Streetscape Advisory Committee.
The first option would take the minimal approach, according to Daniel Grove, associate principal with The Lakota Group, costing about $8.7 million. He said it would involve replacing existing infrastructure on the street and upgrading planters and possibly adding new decorative lighting, among other things.
The second option would cost about $12.9 million and would include paving the street with bricks as well as adding special features to the roadway and sidewalk. Option three, costing $14.3 million, would include adding the installation of a designer stone sidewalk. The most ambitious option, which is the full treatment and includes a brick road, stone sidewalk and other amenities, would cost about $14.5 million.
Grove said the current infrastructure is about 25 years old and should be replaced within the next three years. Most trustees said they are worried about the costs, especially given current projects and others expected in the near future.
Trustee Peter Barber told village staff to provide options to pay for the project and to exercise judgment in what design options would be best for the community.
“What can we do that will work with our budget?” Barber asked. “You know we can’t go crazy with this, but at the same time we want something that is going to look nice.”
In regard to road design, Barber said he would like to see consistency among the various business districts. Other trustees agreed but some said unique amenities, like incorporating sculptures or public art, might add a little pizazz and identity to Lake Street. Grove also said the village could construct informational booths for tourists.
Trustee Colette Lueck pointed out that a bulk of the money will be for core infrastructure, such as underground improvements, and not amenities like new light fixtures and benches.
“They (the amenities) cost virtually nothing compared to everything else,” Lueck said. “I think for us it’s what is going to give us the biggest bang for our buck.”
Trustee Adam Salzman suggested spreading out the projects. “The question is the timing of (the project),” Salzman said. “It doesn’t all have to be done at once.”
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Village Manager Cara Pavlicek said after the meeting that she will break down the costs further and provide the board at a future meeting with various options to pay for the project.