Wood Dale to provide assistance with daycare center expansion project

Every working parent knows that good daycare for their children can be hard to find. Now, thanks in part to a façade grant provided by the City of Wood Dale, the Simba Childcare Center will be expanding its facility and capacity.

With the recent acquisition of an adjacent building, the locally-owned and operated Simba will develop a second facility directly next door to its original operation.

Upon completion, the City of Wood Dale will provide a reimbursement of 37.5 percent of façade construction costs to help improve curb appeal, add new windows and modify the existing roof line to match the existing building. The pedestrian experience will also be enhanced with the installation of an ADA-compliant ramp that will provide an accessible entrance. In addition, exterior lighting will be added to provide night-time illumination.

Based on total construction cost estimates, the city will provide up to $37,278 to enhance the 62 year-old structure.

The city offers the façade improvement program to encourage improvements to commercial properties within the town center and along the city's main commercial corridors. Eligible projects can receive a reimbursement grant equal to 50 percent or less of the cost for improving an existing building, up to $130,000.

"It's great to see the city provide this assistance to help redevelop local businesses and improve the look and feel of our community," said City Manager Jeff Mermuys.

The planned improvements to the Simba facility are part of a comprehensive project that includes construction an addition, interior renovation, parking lot development and additional site improvements. When complete, the new facility will house an additional two classrooms, two bathrooms and kitchen.

The city council approved the reimbursement of the project through the grant at its May 4 meeting, which joins another recently-approved project that will provide assistance with the exterior renovation of JB's Inn. Funding for the Façade Improvement Program is provided by utility taxes and non-home rule City sales tax.

The City of Wood Dale encourages local businesses to participate in the Façade Improvement Program to assist with eligible expenses that contribute to the physical, economic, social and aesthetic well-being of the city. For more information, visit econdev.wooddale.com.