Schaumburg to focus on roads, not new buildings
Schaumburg has unveiled its capital improvement plan for the next six years, which emphasizes roads and utilities over buildings and makes no immediate plans for a long-proposed performing arts center.
The first year of the plan, which is always more detailed than the following five, also dwarfs its successors in costs.
For the fiscal year beginning this spring, $28.2 million is budgeted for capital improvements.
The following years, respectively, call for $7.5 million, $7.9 million, $8.8 million, $9.4 million and $9.7 million.
Kathleen Tempesta, senior assistant to the village manager, said the first year of every plan almost inevitably is the largest because it reflects projects held over for one reason or another. Last year, $23.1 million was budgeted for the first year of the plan, and the year before that it was $30.9 million.
"This plan is in keeping with the current financial forecast," Tempesta said.
While the six-year plan is somewhat leaner due to the economy, Village Manager Ken Fritz said most of the revenues that drive capital improvements are from more stable sources than the dwindling consumer taxes that have plagued the general fund and necessitated creation of a property tax.
For the immediate year ahead, 72 percent of capital spending will be on roadways. As for the rest, 7 percent is for buildings, 6 percent for stormwater management, 6 percent for sanitary sewers, 5 percent for enhancements, 2 percent for sidewalks, 2 percent for bikeways, 1 percent for the airport, 0.3 percent for traffic signals and 0.1 percent for the commuter train parking lot.
The need to step up deferred road maintenance was mentioned during hearings on the village's first property tax last month.
A few years ago, buildings weighed much more heavily in the capital plan, including new or remodeled fire stations, a public works facility and an upgrade of the police station's jail.
The only new buildings envisioned for the year ahead are two hangar buildings at the Schaumburg Regional Airport that would add about 15 more hangar units to the 57 there already.
The expected cost of the new construction is $500,000, originally planned for last year.
Transportation Director June Johnson said there are about 60 people on the airport's waiting list for hangar space. She added that Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling is also adding hangar space.
The village has about $146 million in projects not yet assigned to any year. Of that, $105 million is for a performing arts theater that would be built alongside the Renaissance Hotel and convention center.
Other indefinitely delayed projects include roof replacements at village hall and the Prairie Center for the Arts, an airport maintenance facility and upgrades at Alexian Field.