Aurora finance committee approves $2 million state grant for Mutual Ground shelter renovations

The Aurora Finance Committee voted 5-0 on March 26 to authorize the city to accept a $2 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and to enter a participation agreement with Mutual Ground to renovate the nonprofit's family shelter.

Chris Regona, the city's director of community services, told the committee the project's scope was revised after earlier state earmarks for new construction were removed. "The original scope of work was to expand their family shelter with new construction," Regona said, adding that the city and Mutual Ground worked with DCEO to refocus the effort on roof replacement, façade and window improvements, replacement of mechanical and electrical systems and abatement of hazardous materials including potential lead and asbestos.

The grant is 100% funded and is intended to be administered through a participation agreement with Mutual Ground, but the state asked that the city lead the procurement process. Regona said the city's procurement department will run the bidding; Mutual Ground's architects (named in the record as Corded and Clark) will handle construction management. "There will be multiple layers of approval," he said, and any change orders will require prior city approval. He also noted prevailing-wage rules apply.

Aldermen questioned how the city would handle underspent or overspent amounts. Regona said any funds not used would revert to the state, and that if project costs exceed the $2 million the city and Mutual Ground would either identify additional private funds or reduce scope. He also warned of a statutory deadline tied to COVID-19-era federal waivers that could allow the state to sweep unspent funds after May 31, 2027, creating urgency to complete work on schedule.

The motion to approve was made by Alderman Carl Franco and seconded by Alderman Dan Barero; the committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor and approved the resolution and participation agreement. The city will pursue competitive bidding under city procurement rules and return contract awards to the council for approval in subsequent months.

Next steps include initiating the bidding process later this year, selecting a contractor under the city's procurement procedures and coordinating construction management between Mutual Ground's architects and city staff. Regona said the selected contractor will be given clear expectations about timelines to reduce the risk of the grant being swept.