District 204 Resolution on Developments:
The District 204 board has approved a resolution laying out their stance on new development proposed within the district’s boundaries. At their meeting Monday they voted through the resolution, which states they will support economic development and redevelopment that has a positive impact on the district. However, they will oppose any reduction in the district’s access to local property tax revenue, as well as any tax increment financing (TIF) or similar incentive without the approval of the district. This stance comes after the City of Aurora voted through the development agreement for a senior citizen housing complex for a section of the Route 59 corridor redevelopment planned by the city. That agreement includes consideration of creating a TIF district on the 30-acre development at 75th Street and Ogden Avenue. District 204 drafted their resolution to make it clear where they stand in such matters.
Moser Tower Repair Costs:
Some numbers are in for the projected costs of the Moser Tower repairs, and they’re lower than originally thought. Engineering Resource Associates released a report listing four possible ways to tackle the tower repairs, with price tags ranging from $1.3 million to $2.4 million. Previous estimates had put repair costs up to $3.75 million. Corrosion and deterioration in the 160-foot-tall tower need to be addressed, or the structure will have to be torn down, which if done immediately, would run about $660,000. The plan also prioritized repairs, with fixing concrete scaling and cracking at the top of the list. A subgroup of the Riverwalk Commission is looking through the report and will then make a recommendation for consideration by the Riverwalk Commission, then city council.
Downtown Streetscape Improvements:
Downtown Naperville is getting a facelift. At last night’s Naperville City Council meeting, the group discussed streetscape improvements to the south side of Jefferson Avenue between Webster and Main, both sides of Main Street between Jefferson and Jackson, and parts of Webster and Jackson adjacent to the other development. When the project was initially planned in December, it was intended that property owners would pay for the improvements. But as plans grew and more deterioration was discovered, the burden became too great. Council decided as the area is in the heart of downtown, it is in the city’s best interest to improve it, and take on some of the costs. Planned improvements include widening the sidewalks, changing parking spots from diagonal to parallel, and replacing water mains and ductwork underground. Councilmembers negotiated the cost-sharing split to a 60-40 ratio, with the city paying the majority.
Naperville Best City to Raise Family:
And the city has reason to celebrate, as Naperville has been ranked the best city in the United States for raising a family. That’s according to online review site Niche, who took factors like crime rates, cost of living, and public school figures into account, for ranking 228 cities with a population of 100,000 or more. What’s more, Niche also ranked Naperville as number one for best public schools in the country, and number six for the best city to live in America.
