Help Improve Elmhurst's North Side: Officials

Elmhurst IL

30 July, 2021

8:44 AM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst's northside aldermen are asking the city to find money to pay for "streetscape" improvements in the North York Street tax district. In a letter to Mayor Scott Levin, the aldermen said the North York tax increment financing district was created in 2012 as the city's "formal" commitment to boosting the city's north side. In 2016, the city developed a streetscape plan for the area. "Since that time, funding has been dedicated to attracting and improving businesses and for infrastructure," the aldermen said. "The streetscaping suggested, such as ornamental grasses and pavers, and the projects envisioned in the Streetscape Plan have not been advanced." They requested the city look into money that may be available for North York improvements such as gateway signs and landscaping. "An enhanced streetscape may help attract businesses to North York, raising the aesthetic standard to be closer to that of City Centre," they said. The North York TIF is on York Street from North to Crestview avenues. The four northside aldermen are Ward 2's Bob Dunn and Jacob Hill and Ward 3's Dannee Polomsky and Chris Jensen. On Monday, the City Council is expected to vote on sending the issue to the council's Public Works and Building Committee.