More parking improvements in Libertyville

The disruption that came when a parking deck was built in downtown Libertyville has long faded but a second round of improvements is in the works.

Plans are proceeding for the reconfiguration of the surface lot north of Cook Avenue - behind the village hall and the rear of Milwaukee Avenue businesses - in what has been planned as the tandem project to the $8.7 million parking deck.

Doing both simultaneously was determined to have been too disruptive and expensive for one project, so Part 2 was put on hold.

The 360-space deck was completed about a year ago and village officials say it has been well used, including being at or near capacity during downtown events.

In the interim, the village successfully extended the special financing district downtown beyond its 23-year life, making the estimated $1 million parking improvement possible.

This second part calls for burying all utility lines and reconfiguring the surface lot to allow for two-way traffic from Cook Avenue to Lake Street. A landscaped courtyard and traffic island are included.

"It provides a good flow of traffic all the way through and all the way around," Public Works Director John Heinz said Tuesday during an overview for the village parking commission.

There is a 50-50 chance the work to bury the power lines connected to five utility poles could begin this fall, pending the receipt of information from Com Ed, he added.

"There has been serious concern and desire for those to come down," said commission member Bob Bleck.

Heinz said timing will become an issue because it takes about six weeks for the bid process to proceed through village board approval, and the intent is not to cut power when the weather is too cool or warm.

Removing the existing asphalt and concrete and repaving, forming curbs and installing pavers won't start until next year, likely in mid-June after the annual Libertyville Days festival.

"We can get all that work done in about a two-month time frame," Heinz said. "The work out there is not monumental."

The biggest challenge will involve the timing and location of deliveries by truck to adjoining businesses, which could further disrupt the flow once the work starts, Heinz said.

Several business owners who attended the meeting said they will work with their suppliers, but that a letter from the village limiting delivery times couldn't hurt.

A final design for the work needs to be completed before the village's appearance review and plan commissions consider the matter, likely this winter.