Warrenville officials pitch Mercantile buildout, Route 59 PATH and I‑88 corridor study ahead of March budget review

Amy Emery, Warrenville’s director of community development, told the City Council on Feb. 9 that her department will ask the council in March to fund several projects intended to spur local commerce and infrastructure.

Emery highlighted plans to complete the Warrenville Mercantile by adding six storefronts to the two already on site and said staff are seeking sponsorships, in‑kind donations and volunteer help to reduce the city’s final cost. Council discussion referenced a $175,000 figure in the presentation materials; Emery said the number reflects a full turnkey build‑out scenario and that staff are pursuing ways to reduce the city’s share, including phased rollouts and donations. “We’re actually working with scouts and youth groups to finish out the two building structures that are there now, and we’re seeking other in‑kind services and donations,” Emery said.

Emery also previewed an Illinois Route 59 corridor study that the council directed as a replacement for a Cantera study; staff will issue a request for proposals next week to solicit developers and consultants for that work. The presentation framed the study as a strategy to coordinate development along Route 59 and improve business access and aesthetics.

On the Route 59 PATH pedestrian project, Emery said final engineering funding the city plans to request has been reduced from $100,000 to $76,000 after the department secured additional grant support. She warned, however, that construction costs have risen and will require future council review. “It’s on a path to move forward in fiscal year 27 through zoning review and entitlement to commence construction on the site with the physical buildout beginning, we hope, this year,” Emery said.

The department is also proposing a small pilot business improvement matching grant to assist two or three existing businesses with cosmetic and vacancy‑reduction work; the intent is to require owner investment and have the city match that contribution under program guidelines that staff will bring forward for committee review.

Emery closed by noting several private development proposals on the city’s radar — including a STEM school and new commercial sites in Cantera and along Route 59 — and by asking the council to consider the projects’ timing and funding at the March 14 budget workshop.

Next steps: decision packages for the Mercantile buildout, Route 59 corridor study, business matching grant and Route 59 PATH final engineering will be presented at the March 14 budget workshop for council consideration.