Project Update Letter and Report to Village Board
A project update letter was placed in the mail on 01/17/20 to residents inside the project area on Central Avenue and Elm Street providing an update on the project status through December 2019. A brief presentation (10-15 minutes) to the Village Board will occur on January 27, 2020 at 7:00 pm at Village Hall. Additional information regarding the Village Board Meeting can be found on the Village Calendar.
Letter to Residents - 01-17-20 Project Update Letter
Response to Public Comments
Following the public meeting from December 5, 2019 the Village allowed for public comment submittals to the Village until December 16, 2019. During that meeting and after reviewing the comments submitted to the Village, it was made clear that the primary concern was the required widening to meet federal highway standards to allow parking on both sides of Central Avenue. Comments submitted to the Village indicated that residents would have no objection to the elimination of parking on one side of the street if it would allow for the street width to remain.
The Village met with the Western Springs Park Board on December 10, 2019 and again on January 14, 2020 to discuss if the elimination of parking on one side of the street would negatively impact park operations. The Park Board did not express a concern to the elimination of parking on one side of the street.
After reviewing the federal highway requirements and a preliminary discussion with the Public Works & Water Committee on January 8, 2020 the Village will move forward on Phase I design with the intent to eliminate the parking on the east side of Central Avenue and allowing parking to remain on the west side. To meet federal standards the street will still have to be widened by approximately 6-8”, this is reduced from the initial 5-6’ that was initially expected with parking on both sides of the street.
Responses to additional comments received by December 16, 2019 are being prepared and will be addressed on the project website at wsprings.com/central-avenue. Should residents have any additional concerns or would like to discuss the impacts to parking or the street width, please contact Director of Municipal Services, Matthew Supert or Assistant Director of Municipal Services, Casey Biernacki.