North Aurora hires firm to begin riverfront project

The first step in redeveloping North Aurora's riverfront into a community jewel is in motion.

The village board this week hired Copenhaver Construction, for $182,566, to build a sheltered scenic overlook on the east bank of the Fox River, north of State Street, near the village hall. Site preparation began Thursday, and work should be done by the end of June.

The project is less grand than originally envisioned. Planners dropped several amenities earlier this year when bids came in higher than the $200,000 budgeted for the project. The lowest bid was $219,000 and one bid topped out at $473,500. The board eliminated some lighting, stone veneer columns, landscaping, invasive plant species removal, a bench, an interpretive sign and post, a litter can and plans to remove and replace a railing at a nearby dam.

The outlook is part of a long-term plan to turn the riverfront into something that will attract recreational users, as well as improve business in the downtown.

Specialized gardens, play areas, boardwalks and more were envisioned in a study presented in 2008.