Palatine fast-tracking plans for Slade Street makeover

A key street in downtown Palatine is on the fast track for a major overhaul this year.

The village council Monday approved contracts to revamp Slade Street.

The work — reconfigured parking, space for outdoor cafe dining, more landscaping and a more pedestrian-friendly feel between Bothwell and Brockway streets — is targeted for completion by Labor Day.

Planned improvements include fiber optic installation, water main replacement east of Brockway, sidewalk brick reconstruction and storm sewer enhancements.

Renderings show string lights attached to lamp posts, outdoor seating, planter beds and decorative brick pavers.

Palatine village council members at Monday’s meeting approved construction and engineering contracts, as well as a purchasing plan to avoid supply delays.

Council members awarded a $149,000 contract for construction engineering services to Doland Engineering.

The council voted to award the construction contract to Martam Construction, the low-bidder, whose price — $3.2 million — came in about 8% under budget.

In addition, the council approved a purchasing list for items such as pergolas, streetlights, cafe lighting poles, cameras and fencing, totaling $686,000.

The village plans to buy some of the major streetscape components itself to ensure timely completion of the project.

“Some of the items have the potential for longer lead time,” Public Works Director Matt Barry said.

Normally, Barry said, the general contractor would purchase the items.

“But in this case, we think it’s most appropriate to be vested with the authority to have the manager make those purchases directly with those vendors, accelerate those items coming to us, then having the general contractor assemble them as part of his work,” he said.