Kane County awards Small Cities grants

East Dundee's old train depot and Montgomery's village hall are in line to receive redevelopment assistance through Kane County's Small Cities grant program.

Under a proposal recommended Wednesday by the Kane County Board's executive committee, East Dundee would receive $25,000 to hire a consultant to draw up plans to turn the old depot building into the "focal point" of its downtown business district.

Possible improvements include benches, bike racks, signs and public art. The building is located just off the Fox River Bike Trail.

Montgomery is slated to get $20,000 to study ideas for reusing the existing village hall and surrounding commercial neighborhood.

Officials are moving from the one-story village hall at 1300 S. Broadway Ave. to a new two-story hall to be built at 200 N. River St.

The Kane County Board is expected to award the grants next week.

East Dundee and Montgomery were chosen from among eight applicants. The program awards matching grants to Kane County communities with populations of 50,000 or less.

Eligible projects must utilize and enhance existing buildings, foster partnerships between public and private entities and create cultural arts programs that encourage business development or enhance business districts.

Last year's winners were Elburn and Pingree Grove. Elburn was awarded $25,000 to design a pedestrian/bike path connecting the new Metra station to the north half of the village and Pingree Grove got $20,000 to create an economic/community development plan for a revitalized town center.