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Aurora to accept $4 million state grant for Mastodon Lake dredging; total project estimate ~$5.045M

6439416 · October 22, 2025

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Summary

The city will accept a $4,000,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for dredging and shoreline restoration at Mastodon Lake. Staff said the total project is estimated at about $5,045,000 and the grant reduces the city's stormwater funding obligation.

Aurora public works staff told aldermen the city will accept a $4,000,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to dredge and restore the shoreline at Mastodon Lake, a project staff has pursued intermittently since 2019.

Jason Bauer, Department of Public Works, said the grant reduces the share the city would otherwise have to cover from stormwater management funds. "Originally this project was gonna be funded solely with stormwater management funds … so with this grant it's just gonna lower the amount that we have to pay," Bauer said. He added staff will work with consulting firm HR Green this fall to finalize plans and quantities and then bid the project.

Finance Chair Alderman Mesiakos noted the grant is for $4,000,000 and that preliminary project estimates total $5,045,000. Bauer confirmed staff is still fine‑tuning the estimate and said final quantities will be ready before bid. He also said the city applied for the funding in 2023 and the grant was a repurposed award limited to that region.

The finance committee placed the item (agenda item 20‑5‑819) on the consent agenda. No formal committee vote tally was recorded in the discussion; staff indicated ongoing design work and that additional financial details will be provided when final bids are prepared.

Why it matters: Mastodon Lake dredging and shoreline work addresses long‑standing citizen and environmental concerns and requires major capital funding. The grant substantially lowers the city's immediate local share but does not fully fund the projected estimate.

Next steps: HR Green will finalize plan sets and quantities this fall; staff will return with final estimates and a bid package for council approval and appropriation of remaining funds.