Des Plaines to begin downtown improvements

Des Plaines plan to begin improving downtown streets and sidewalks this spring.

The beautification project involves refurbishing the Metropolitan Square Plaza courtyard, making building facade and sidewalk improvements, and adding benches, trash receptacles, seasonal banners and new lighting along downtown streets at a total cost of about $1.5 million, said Tim Oakley, the city's director of public works and engineering.

The project already has been awarded after a state bidding process. Since the work involves state highways - U.S. Route 14/Miner Street and Lee Street (U.S. Route 12/45) - Illinois Department of Transportation will oversee the project, Oakley said.

"Work can begin as soon as the weather breaks, first week of April," he said.

The street and pedestrian lighting and streetscape improvements in downtown will be paid for through a roughly $850,000 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant, with the city matching 20 percent of the cost or roughly $214,000 out of the downtown tax increment financing district.

The city will replace about 95 light poles along Miner, Lee, a portion of Ellinwood, and Pearson streets. The city also has earmarked $100,000 for facade rehabilitation, which will be awarded as grants to qualifying businesses.

Refurbishing Metropolitan Square Plaza, which involves improving the courtyard area, will be done entirely with downtown TIF District No. 1 funds.

"One of the concepts that we are interested in is a fountain - right in the center of the courtyard," Oakley said.