ECC lending Elgin cash to finish Spartan Drive project

Do you often hit potholes on your way to class at Elgin Community College?

That problem soon could be solved.

ECC may lend the city of Elgin $2.3 million to speed up the Spartan Drive rehabilitation project.

The project, a joint venture between ECC and Elgin, involves reconstructing and resurfacing a 3,000-foot section of the south end of the campus roadway beginning at the college's McLean Boulevard entrance. Curbs and gutters also will be updated, along with new street lighting and landscaping.

While plans were completed for the project long ago, it likely would not have been started any time soon. The project is not mentioned in the city's 5-year plan.

"They (ECC) can get what they want in a much faster manner," said Sue Olafson, Elgin city spokeswoman. "We wouldn't ultimately do it in five years. They decided they didn't want to wait five years."

The college receives regular calls from students who have gotten flat tires and lost hubcaps on the pothole-filled road, ECC Vice President of Business and Finance Sharon Konny said.

"Come winter time, it's only going to get worse," she said.

According to the resolution, Elgin would pay ECC back in 2015 with a lump sum, but would be charged annual interest by the college.

The money would come out of ECC's general fund, Konny said.

The city council will vote on a resolution authorizing the loan at tonight' meeting. If approved, that resolution will be brought to the ECC board Sept. 8.

Construction could start as early as next week if approved by the city council, Konny said.