Lockport marks 50 years of historic district; council approves water, sidewalks and development items

Lockport Mayor Stephen Stripe proclaimed March 17, 1975 as the 50th anniversary of the Lockport Historic Preservation District and noted the district’s role in sustaining the city’s character. The City Council also approved multiple consent items and construction‑related contracts, including engineering task orders to support Phase 3 of the Division Street Wastewater Treatment Plant project and a sidewalk trip‑hazard remediation contract.

The mayor said the district and the Heritage and Architecture Commission “have been essential in sustaining the city’s unique character,” and he urged residents and businesses to celebrate the anniversary. The council read a formal proclamation noting the March 17, 1975 ordinance that established the district and the district’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1975.

Why this matters: Council action on the wastewater task orders and the related IEPA loan readiness work advances a multi‑million‑dollar infrastructure project that affects municipal sewer capacity and regulatory compliance. Sidewalk and well‑house work address immediate public‑safety and water‑system maintenance needs. The Kitty Academy development decision affects planned childcare capacity in a commercial area off Farrell Road.

Wastewater treatment: the council approved two engineering task orders tied to the Division Street Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 3 work. Staff said the task orders — submitted to strengthen the city’s IEPA loan application by demonstrating project readiness — would put consultant project management, construction inspection, shop‑drawing review, start‑up support and operator training in place before construction begins. The two firms identified in the staff presentation are Thomas Engineering (lead project management, testing and inspection) and the plant’s design consultant (noted in the packet). The staff presentation said the task orders were intended to help maximize points in the city’s loan application to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Public works and water system items: Public Works staff reported that a recently completed non‑potable reuse project at the Division Street water/wastewater site produced a 76% reduction in potable water use during the first full month of operation, a decline staff said equates to roughly 7,000 gallons per month and an annual savings figure described in the meeting materials. The council approved a design contract for two well houses (Well 6 and Well 13) and approved a separate public‑works contract to address sidewalk trip hazards.

Sidewalk program: the council awarded the 2025 sidewalk resurfacing / Safe Step contract in an amount not to exceed $43,600. Staff explained the Safe Step process uses grinding to remove trip hazards in many locations rather than full square replacement; staff said the approach lets the city address a larger number of hazards within the same budget. Staff said the program identified roughly 580 trip hazards in the study area, and that a wholesale replacement approach there would have been substantially more expensive.

Development and planning: the council approved, by consent, development plans for a new Kitty Academy daycare on Lot 5 of Rose Lockport Center Unit 2. The applicant described a 10,485‑square‑foot building, a 6,155‑square‑foot outdoor play area and a 27‑space parking lot; the applicant said the tenant typically operates about 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and anticipates staggered drop‑off and pick‑up to reduce peak congestion. The plan and zoning commission recommended approval on Feb. 11 after questions about peak hours and parking.

Façade grant: staff recommended a façade and site‑improvement grant of $8,171.64 for work at 1111 East Ninth Street (Will County Loan Company). Council members asked for additional clarity about whether the proposed work was limited to the Mansard façade piece visible from the street and whether the estimate referenced an insurance claim. The council asked staff to return the application to the Committee of the Whole with those questions addressed.

Other items: the council authorized a Second Street Heritage Village kiosk, benches and bike amenities project (estimated not to exceed $35,000) with partial Boy Scout fundraising for minor features; approved a design proposal for two well houses (Engineering Enterprises, not to exceed $89,386); and took multiple routine consent actions including minutes, a 2024 budget amendment, payroll and bills and intergovernmental participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. Several items on the consent agenda were listed in the meeting packet including a professional services agreement with Arcadis for advisory services for the Star Innovation District.

The meeting closed after a brief discussion of coordination with nearby Homer Glen staff on wastewater topics and a motion to adjourn.