Arlington Heights nearing decision on flood fixes
It's been five years since a major rainstorm caused flooding throughout Arlington Heights and pushed village officials to look at long-term fixes to its stormwater infrastructure.
After years of studies, the village board finally is getting ready to make decisions about what to do next, and how to pay for it.
"'Where are we now and why is it taking us so long to get here?' Those are the two questions we get most often from residents," Village Manager Randy Recklaus said. "The answer is that we are discussing tens of millions of dollars in potential projects and solutions that are very complex."
Those solutions were laid out in a series of public meetings earlier this year, but the village board has yet to weigh in on how it will prioritize and pay for the various fixes suggested through a combination of internal studies and two separate studies completed by outside engineering firms.
A study by Christopher Burke Engineering outlines small fixes for some areas, such as adding inlets or connecting to existing storm sewers, which could cost less than $100,000. But another proposed solution would extend the University Drive detention basin on the village's north side into a village-owned parcel or vacant lot, work that would cost up to $6.8 million.
A study by CDM Smith of the consolidated sewer system in the central area of Arlington Heights offered solutions that could cost $11 million or $13 million, with residents possibly being asked to pay for a share of those expenses.
Recklaus and village officials have cautioned that even all the potential improvement projects would not eliminate flooding in the event of a storm like the July 2011 downpour that dumped more than 2½ inches of water on the village in just one hour.
On Aug. 1, the village board will discuss how to prioritize flood relief projects, weigh in on whether the costs are worth the potential benefits, and determine ways to fund the work.
"There is not a current steady funding source for either the improvements or maintenance of our stormwater system," Recklaus said. "New revenues would have to be generated to fund either."
Resident Keith Moens has spoken at several village board meetings asking trustees to prioritize infrastructure improvements over the planned new police station, which is estimated to cost nearly $28 million.
"This is a problem that affects all residents," Moens said. "You should consider what will benefit the majority of taxpaying residents and direct every dime possible toward infrastructure. Cancel the new police station and redirect the bond money to fix local flooding."
Officials have said the new police station is just as necessary to maintain the health and welfare of Arlington Heights residents. They say the current station was built more than 40 years ago, is running out of space, and is no longer compliant with many policing standards.
Although the flooding studies have been a constant source of questions from residents, trustees are glad the village has taken its time with the issue.
"Back in 2011 we decided to take a long-term approach and I remember knowing it was going to take a long time," said Trustee Joe Farwell. "We wanted the model to be as accurate as possible and that doesn't happen overnight."
The city council's Aug. 1 meeting begins at 8 p.m. on the third floor of village hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.