N. Aurora gets grant for riverfront

The Kane County Forest Preserve has become the latest entity to support a riverfront development in North Aurora.

The village was awarded a $110,000 grant last week on the heels of a village board resolution in support of the project that could bring a boardwalk and other amenities around the Fox River.

Tod Stanton of Design Perspectives, which generated a concept plan for the area roughly around State Street between routes 31 and 25, said a final plan will be brought before the village board next month.

"It's wonderful when government bodies work together. Every penny counts on a project like this and it's a credit to the village that it landed the grant," Stanton said.

Trustee Mark Gaffino said credit also goes to Kane County Board member Jim Mitchell, who helped bring the money to the village.

Last month Stanton said the project could be completed in three phases, the first of which would cost about $3 million. The first stage would include a beginning of a grand boardwalk similar to the one in Atlantic City, N.J., as well as enhanced bike pathways and a children's garden near the village hall.

Although this grant money is assured, more could be on the way. Stanton said a plan to add wetlands just south of State Street had a very good chance at bringing in more money.

Other future phases could include adding a pedestrian bridge, finishing the boardwalk, expanding pedestrian paths on the State Street bridge and a lookout tower. Looking well into the future, the plan also calls for replacing the activity center with a new community center and relocating a fire station currently on State Street.

In addition to another presentation before the village board, the project concept will also go before the Fox Valley Park District board next month for a support resolution, he said.

Stanton said he will address concerns about the economic viability of the project, including its ability to attract businesses and people to Route 31 and the maintenance on the boardwalk.