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Forest Park reviews $1.5 million Ferdinand Avenue resurfacing, approves design agreement for 2022 infrastructure plan
Summary
Council heard a detailed presentation on a draft 2022 infrastructure plan that lists the Ferdinand Avenue resurfacing and water-main replacement as a $1.5 million priority and unanimously approved a design agreement with Burke Engineering to proceed with engineering work for that project.
The Village of Forest Park on Jan. 24 reviewed a draft 2022 infrastructure plan and approved a professional design agreement for the Ferdinand Avenue water-main and resurfacing project.
Engineer Jim Amelio of Chris Burke Engineering presented the draft plan, listing the Ferdinand Avenue work as the first major item and stating, "The total estimated project cost for that is $1,500,000," with about $878,000 proposed from the water fund and $622,000 from the rebuild bond fund. Amelio also outlined other projects and funding sources, including a $400,000 estimate for the 15th Street sewer separation (about $40,000 from the VIP fund and $360,000 from a Community Development Block Grant), a $201,000 MWRD grant for a permeable-paver parking lot at 510 Des Plaines, and a $540,000 Van Buren multi-use path funded in part by an Invest in Cook award.
The presentation emphasized grant-funded components and scheduling: Jackson Boulevard resurfacing is covered by STP ($418,000) plus MFT ($104,000), and the North Water Tower painting is estimated at $1,150,000 to be paid from the Brown Avenue TIF. Amelio detailed alternates the board may swap in if funding allows, and noted that some projects are contingent on bid results and grant reimbursements.
On the topic of lead-service lines, Amelio said, "As of January 1, there is a new mandate that all lead services need to be replaced when you touch a new water main," explaining that the village must factor full-service replacement into future water-main projects. Staff said this mandate affects project cost and grant eligibility and that the village will return with a policy proposal on lead-service replacement in coming months.
After the presentation and questions about alternates, economies of scale for lead removal and grant eligibility, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing execution of a professional design agreement with Burke Engineering for the Ferdinand Avenue project (Resolution R-09-22). The design authorization positions the village to complete engineering work this spring and bid work in time for construction before the next school year.
The plan presented additional placeholders for later fiscal years, including commuter-bike facility design this year and construction in 2023 (an ITEP-funded project), and several alley, patching and service-replacement alternates that may be added depending on final funding. Staff committed to return with more specific cost estimates for community center improvements and final grant-match details where needed.
