New timetable for Elmhurst Park District's Vision 2020 plan
Elmhurst Park District is putting a timeline in motion to refine its Vision 2020 capital improvement plan after agreeing to slow the process in response to a resident survey.
The park board is now looking to discuss the projects with focus groups and to apply for a grant to fund a proposed adult center.
Executive Director Jim Rogers this week discussed the updated timeline for refining the proposed projects and determining how they will be funded.
The district originally planned to seek voter approval for a March primary ballot initiative to nearly double its property taxes to generate $105.2 million for six major capital projects.
But a survey this fall of 1,100 registered voters showed little support for the funding plan, which would have cost the owner of a $500,000 home roughly $497 more a year.
The proposal called for a new adult center, an indoor sports center, a dog park and expansion of Wagner Community Center. It also included plans to obtain more outdoor space and improve park maintenance.
Some survey respondents said they supported a more refined and economical plan.
"This is not us starting from scratch again," Rogers said. "But there are certain considerations we have to take."
Toward that end, Rogers said the district will hold focus groups in March to collect feedback on possible changes and cost options.
Officials say they want to review all six proposed projects and refocus their goals. Rogers said officials will approach the new timeline step by step.
"Currently, we just have to come to a consensus for what we want to talk to focus groups about," he said.
After adjusting the projects based on community feedback, park board members will turn their attention to funding.
Director of Facilities Angela Ferrentino suggested pursuing a Park and Recreational Facility Construction grant to help pay for a new adult center at 155 E. St. Charles Road.
The current senior center, the Abbey, received a C+ rating from an independent facility assessment. The new center would include numerous upgrades and new services. Moving the center to a new property and adding amenities will cost about $3.3 million, and the grant would cover up to $2.4 million.
The board unanimously agreed to apply for the grant by the Jan. 21 deadline.
Determining funding for rest of the projects will continue through April. The board will conduct another community survey in mid-April and review the results at its June 8 meeting.
If the board decides to pursue a referendum question in November, it will need to make a decision by Aug. 17.