Wood Dale looks to a greener future

Conserving energy, maintaining property values and moving forward with plans to improve a notorious intersection should be a priority for Wood Dale this year.

That's what Mayor Ken Johnson told the city council Thursday during his State of the City address.

As part of the speech, Johnson encouraged council members to approve a resolution endorsing the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact.

City council members responded by agreeing to have Wood Dale join other communities in taking steps to cut down on energy use.

Wood Dale officials hope to slash energy consumption in city-owned buildings by at least 40 percent.

To achieve that goal, Johnson said, a company will be hired to conduct an energy audit. Federal grant money will be sought to help make city-owned buildings more environmentally friendly.

In addition, the mayor suggested the city offer incentives to developers who incorporate certain energy conserving practices.

Meanwhile, officials plan to start a gas can exchange program. It would give residents the chance to trade in old gas cans for environmentally friendly containers that don't emit fumes into the ozone.

"Let us be a kinder and gentler community that has a bright future where the ideals of a fourth-grader are practiced by the adults of the community," Johnson said.

The mayor voiced concern when the topic turned to the intersection and railroad crossings at Wood Dale and Irving Park roads.

Planned improvements have been delayed for years due to citizen concerns and opposition to initial plans that called for building a $45 million jug-handle and an underpass at the intersection.

Each year the council delays the project, the city stands to lose $600,000 because of rising construction costs, Johnson said.

Johnson urged the city council to move forward with a third alternative plan.

"We need to move promptly to design and implement option three," he said.

Finally, Johnson said home sales are down in Wood Dale by about 25 percent and foreclosures are increasing.

"When a house gets foreclosed, an entire block of homes is devastated," he said.

Wood Dale hopes to partner with Itasca and Addison to educate the public about free credit counseling programs offered by banks. Many foreclosures could be avoided if more homeowners were educated, Johnson said.