North Aurora plans for river overlook

A new overlook on the Fox River in North Aurora could be under construction early next year now that the village has approved a $29,700 contract with Design Perspectives Inc.

Village Management Analyst Wes Kornowski said the $29,700 approved Monday will go for designs, engineering, bid assistance and obtaining permits necessary to build over the Fox.

The village is scheduled to put the project up for bid early next year and has set a $220,000 budget.

If the project holds to its schedule, it will be ready for construction next summer, Kornowski said.

He said Design Perspectives was the best fit of five bids for the overlook design.

The overlook will be near the dam and adjacent to village hall and provide residents a preview of much larger improvements that could be on the way, Village President John Hansen said.

He said the village will pay half of the $220,000 budget for the overlook, with the rest coming from a Kane County Forest Preserve District grant.

Although the village could have spent that money obtaining permits for its larger riverfront plans, the village staff and board thought something more tangible might be in order, Hansen said.

"It's a step in a positive direction. People are looking forward to the improvements," he said. "The overlook will be a very good asset for the riverfront project."

Eventually, the village would like to add several features to the riverfront area around Route 25 that make the village stand out, including a grand boardwalk, pedestrian bridges, lookout towers and several gardens.

The boardwalk plan - after nearly a year of gauging public opinion and planning - also was prepared by Design Perspectives and presented to the board in March.