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City Council identified which streets are under the spotlight for renovations this year during a March 5 meeting, particularly focusing on downtown reconstruction in Ward 4. The 2024 street maintenance program will be tackling roadway issues identified several years ago, according to City Manager Thomas Mattis, with the $500,000 already set aside in the budget and new funds from Elgin’s recent burst of developments.
“This is one of the benefits from all the growth and development we’re having. New development is paying for all their own streets and building all their own infrastructure, but they’re also generating revenue for the city, and we’re able to turn around and reinvest those dollars back in the older more established parts of town that need this attention,” said Mattis.
A significant part of the resurfacing will be concentrated around central Elgin and the updated police station currently under construction.
City Alley, stretching from the 200 block of Depot Street to the alleyway behind the station, will be receiving a two-inch asphalt overlay, along with the entirety of Stabeno Drive, parts of Ochoa Street and North Avenue E.
Overlay and associated curbs and sidewalks will also be coming to Depot Street, from Avenue C to Avenue A, and South Avenue B, from Depot Street to Second Street.
Chipseal will be applied to Carlson Line, stretching from County Line Road to city limits. While this is not a high-quality solution, compared to an asphalt overlay, it will hold up for some time, according to Mattis.
Storm water infrastructure will be addressed on 11th Street by adding a concrete channel to reduce mowing and litter accumulation, and an underground storm drain and overlay will be coming to East Seventh Street.
“Were not in a shortage of streets, particularly in the original part of town, that wouldn’t benefit from reconstruction. This is the analysis staff has come up with to give attention,” added Mattis.
Council members will have until the next meeting, March 19, to assess these decisions before a final vote. Any additional street renovations would push one of the currently proposed sites back another year. Construction won’t begin until more competitive market prices are available, typically at the end of the building season in September, according to Mattis.
“Typically, we spend these dollars earlier in the fiscal year, but it’s part of our strategy that we think has proven out we get better prices,” said the city manager.
