The Village of Peotone approved the first Facade Improvement Program grant after the board adopted the program this past spring.
The application, submitted by local business owner Vicki Moore, is for window replacement, painting and tuckpointing for units 104 to 110 E. Railroad Street, or the building located at the corner of North and Railroad streets. She will be reimbursed for 50 percent of the total project’s TIF-eligible cost upon completion.
The program, approved at the March 23 meeting, incentivizes commercial building owners within the village’s overlay district in the downtown area to renovate or improve their building’s facade by offering financial assistance.
Once awarded, applicants move forward with their project and later submit receipts for reimbursement. Administrator Nick Palmer and the TIF consultant review the receipts before payout. Participation in the program requires estimates, images depicting the work to be done, and a scope of work as part of the initial application before board approval.
The Facade Improvement Program is funded by TIF funds generated from local businesses in town within the TIF district. It essentially allows for reinvestment in the community.
“The goal is to beautify the downtown, make it more attractive for existing businesses, but hopefully attract additional businesses to fill in some of the empty stores and storefronts,” Palmer said.
Moore was awarded $9,250, which is 50 percent of her proposed project cost.
“She’s already done some separate work on her building. It looks great,” Palmer said, noting this is one of many projects Moore has undertaken.
“She put in some new doors and other windows, but this is specifically looking at tuckpointing, painting, and window replacement and is part of a larger effort to rehab the building,” he added.
Palmer also explained the TIF consultant recommended the village use the redevelopment agreement because it has “robust” explanations and spells out all roles, responsibilities, and proposed work.
“This has been a long time coming, and I mean, it’s exciting to finally get to this point where we’re actually looking at, you know, the first person or first people that are going to use it,” Trustee Gary Hudson said.
“Hopefully, a lot of other businesses and building owners in town take notice and get on board. This is money that’s available, and it’s great. I mean, this is a milestone. It really is. It’s exciting to get to this point,” Hudson added.
Board members unanimously approved the request.
Joliet Road Flock Camera Cut Down
Peotone Police Chief David DeMiksaid that one of the Flock cameras, located on Joliet Road, was cut down by an unknown perpetrator.
“They cut it off with a saw, but it looks like they got about 3/4 of the way through it and then they kicked the rest off with their foot,” DeMik said.
He said it was not a live-view camera, but it did capture license plates from recent incidents.
DeMik said he would have information on Flock and transparency for the board at the next meeting.
“We’ll open up to the public just so they don’t feel like we’re just busy watching everybody for no reason,” DeMik added.
Other News and Updates
Administrator Nick Palmer reported the MFT projects at Fourth and South streets are underway, though an exact completion date was not given and the work is weather-dependent.
The sidewalk improvement program is slated to begin the second week of September. A preconstruction meeting is scheduled.
Work on the village’s strategic plan continues, Palmer reported. He met with the consultant, Cory Poris Plasch, and is ironing out some details. Poris Plasch will likely attend an October meeting to present the first draft of the plan.
Mayor Chris Vieaux said election packets are now available for three four-year-term trustee positions. Trustees Gary Hudson, Todd Sandberg, and Julie Sluis will be up for re-election in April.