N. Aurora to seek county funds for riverfront projects

Looking for ways to fund its riverfront attraction, the North Aurora village board is set to approve a resolution in support of the project next week.

Village Management Analyst Wes Kornowske said the resolution is a necessary step that shows the board supports adding a riverwalk-like development between routes 31 and 25 along State Street.

The village will be applying for at least two Kane County grants from the Riverboat Fund and the Kane County Community Development Fund early next year.

In order to land the money, however, the county needs to see support, Kornowske said.

Normally, such support would be shown by appropriating money for the project. But the village cannot appropriate money until the budget is unveiled in June 2008, and the grant deadlines are in early January.

The current resolution will allow the village to show its support in advance.

"This will show that the village is very serious," Village President John Hansen said. "Hopefully it will bring in some grant money to get the project moving."

The is set for 7 p.m. Monday at village hall on State Street.

Over the summer and into the fall, the village has conducted surveys and hired a consulting firm to generate a concept plan for the village's waterfront area.

After the data were collected, Tod Stanton of Design Perspectives, which researched the project and generated the concept plan, said the surveys and public workshops have shown overwhelming support from residents and businesses.

Last week Design Perspectives unveiled its latest concept, a hybrid of two earlier plans. A grand boardwalk unique to North Aurora was the standout feature.

Other amenities include a children's garden, upgraded bike trails, a lookout tower and a nature walk.

However, Stanton estimated the first of three phases of improvements -- including the bike trail improvements and a portion of the boardwalk -- to cost about $3 million.

Taking a long view, the village could also look to sell the Activity Center on the corner of Route 31 and State and replace it with a new building near the river.

Without the new community center, the project would cost about $12 million, Stanton said.