Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Fiscal Year 2022 Community Project Funding Grant Agreement No. B-22-CP-IL-0333 between the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Village of Oak Park for the North Avenue Gateway Safety Improvement Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $200,000 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
In 2022 the Village received a $200,000 federal appropriation sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin for the North Avenue Safety Improvement Project as part of the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the proposed grant application for a proposed gateway feature on North Avenue near the Austin Boulevard intersection and this Grant Agreement defines the terms and conditions for using these funds. Construction of the gateway feature would be coordinated with a separate State funded streetscape project on North Avenue with the City of Chicago.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
As discussed at the February 21, 2023, Village Board meeting, Senator Dick Durbin sponsored $200,000 for the Village of Oak Park for the North Avenue Safety Project as part of the $1.5 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 (Omnibus Spending Bill). These funds are proposed to be used to partially fund the construction of a gateway feature on North Avenue near the Austin Boulevard intersection. The gateway feature will help identify the business district and identify to drivers that they are entering an area with increased activity to hopefully help slow and calm traffic.
HUD has reviewed the grant application that was submitted early this year and has approved the scope of the project and has drafted the proposed Grant Agreement for this work. Following approval of this Grant Agreement, the Engineering Division will solicit proposals from Landscape Architects for developing design concepts for the proposed gateway features. Gateway features can vary widely in their design and cost. Design concepts will be reviewed by the Community Design Commission which will also serve to host public meetings to gather any public input on the design. Staff will also engage the Oak Park Area Arts Council to get input on the proposed concepts through this public planning process. Ultimately the Community Design Commission will make a recommendation of a preferred design concept with estimated costs to the Village Board for approval. Once the design concept is approved staff will work with a consultant to develop the detailed construction plans for the project.
Since the grant is only for $200,000 the proposed scope for the grant-funded project currently only includes one gateway near the Austin area. Should the Village desire to install a similar gateway feature near the Harlem intersection, the cost for that installation would likely be funded using the State funds for the proposed streetscape project. The State has allocated $21.4 Million for a shared streetscape project with the City of Chicago from Harlem to Central. Construction of any gateways would be coordinated with the larger streetscape project.
A brief project narrative describing the gateway project is attached for reference.
Fiscal Impact
The $200,000 CPF grant funds do not have a local match associated with them. Costs for a gateway project can vary widely depending on the final design chosen. The initial estimate for the construction of a gateway project is approximately $500,000. The Village would use a portion of the $21.4M in State funds for the North Avenue Streetscape project to fund any additional costs needed for the construction of the gateway. The Village would pay for the costs of the design of the gateway feature.
Once a consultant is selected, conceptual design to work for developing design concepts of the gateways would likely start in late 2023 with detailed design occurring in 2024. There are available funds in the FY23 Budget for the conceptual design work in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works-Engineering, Project Engineering account no. 3095.43780.101.570706. The 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan includes $200,000 for design in the FY2024 Recommended Budget which would be used for the detailed design of the gateway feature.
DEI Impact
Staff will work with the DEI Officer during the consultant selection process, public engagement work, and reviews of design concepts to ensure DEI impacts are always being considered in the design of the gateways.
Alternatives
The alternative to this recommendation could be to delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
At the February 21, 2023, Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved the submission of an FY2022 Community Project Funding (CPF) Grant Application for the North Avenue Safety Improvement Project.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
Staff will work with the Community Design Commission, and likely engage the Oak Park Arts Council, to review design concepts and recommend a preferred design concept for Village Board approval.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Staff will present future agreements for the design and construction of the gateway features. Staff will present the design concepts for Village Board approval prior to advancing the project into the detailed design stage.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
This project involves the federal government working with the Village to help fund projects along North Avenue intended to improve safety and enhance the corridor.