By Jason Crane
The Aurora City Council honored alderwomen Juany Garza, Patty Smith, and Shweta Baid along with other female City leaders for Women’s History Month at the Tuesday, March 18, City Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
In addition, superintendent of East Aurora School District 131, Jennifer Norrell was honored for seven years. She is transitioning to another school district. Norrell is the first female superintendent in District 131 and the first black female superintendent in Kane County.
•The meeting with presentations and input from individuals can be viewed on the city government of Aurora’s YouTube page after the 3-minute mark by clicking here.
The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items likely to be placed on the Tuesday, March 25 full City Council agenda:
•Consent was given to a Resolution appointing thirteen inaugural members and one student representative to the “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advisory Board” (AANHPI).
The purpose of this item is to make an initial round of appointments to AANHPI.
City government of Aurora documents show the City Council approved the creation of the AANHPI Advisory Board in July of 2024. The board was created to align with the city’s other established cultural/heritage advisory boards.
The announcement of the board was made in May, in conjunction with AANHPI Heritage Month. The calls for applications were made in July and August of 2024 through the Council Committee process as well as through Communications and Marketing channels. Additional advertisements were made as part of a campaign for the city’s three newest boards and commissions (AANHPI, Sister Cities and Aging in Community).
Staff members conducted virtual interviews of candidates starting in November of 2024, the nominations below represent the full thirteen-member board. This board will also be appointing a non-voting student representative, Rishima Mukherjee.
The candidates are: Abigail Kemph, Ward Two; owner of Leilani Asian Fusion; Anthony Ramos, Nonresident; vice president, Talent and Culture, and chief Diversity officer at Waubonsee Community College; Christopher Loo, nonresident; Business Development manager, Windfall Group; Girish Kapur, Ward Nine resident; Jasmine Ni, nonresident; Property manager of Windfall Group; Judy Ni, nonresident; director of Real Estate of Windfall Group; Lynda White, Ward Three resident; Nadia Kanhai, Ward Four resident; Pawdoh Soe, Ward Five resident; Ralph Yamamoto, nonresident; Casino Services supervisor with the Hollywood Casino; Ram Tyagi, Ward One resident; Rita Moy, Ward Six resident; Tina Eggert, nonresident; owner of a Hawaiian Dance School; one of the founding members of Aurora’s Ukulele Festival; Rishima Mukherjee, student representative, Illinois Math and Science Academy
Approval of these members will allow the AANHPI to begin the work outlined in the code.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of the Purchasing Department to execute the service agreement approving of third-party administrative services for the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Illinois to administer the 2025 Summer Programs in an amount not to exceed $180,000.00 for the Youth Services division.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose of this resolution is to request approval from the City Council for the City’s annual youth services summer programming.
Since 2010, the City has utilized a third-party administrator (TPA), Cities in Schools (CIS), for summer and youth development programs. CIS recently notified the city that they will no longer be providing TPA services, effective the 2025 summer season. Given the urgency of the situation and the abbreviated timeline to secure a vendor and make all of the necessary arrangements required, the city contacted the Boys and Girls Club. The agreement with Boys and Girls Club needs to be approved as soon as possible to complete the planning process to be able to provide summer camps and programs by the start of summer break.
Since 2022, the Boys and Girls Club has proven to be able to provide the comprehensive services the City needs to run these camps, based on their services for West Aurora School District 129, and also based on the timeline to complete tasks prior to summer programming. Since 2022, the Boys and Girls Club has been working to establish strong partnerships with local school Districts, as well as many youth-based organizations. These relationships serve the Boys and Girls Club well with respect to managing these programs.
The cost of the proposed services is $180,000.00. The proposed agreement is similar to the 2024 summer programs. The 2025 proposal includes 4 educational summer camps, 1 theatre camp, all programming and staffing, and field trips for all summer camps. The locations of these sites have been determined in conjunction with the school districts. The Boys and Girls Club continues to provide quality service, conduct surveys with parents and stakeholders, and make necessary changes to their programs based on responses from the community and in consultation with the City. This agreement is for this summer only.
For additional enrichment programs, supplies/curriculum, trips, staff members, longer/full-day camps, and students, officials will continue to pursue more funding to provide for third-party contracts to sustain the summer programs. Site visits will be made to all program sites. Boys and Girls Club will provide a report at the end of the season.
This service was not formally bid; however, the $180,000 for 2025 is consistent with the costs for the 2024 program of $182,000. Consistent with prior years, the allocated costs include $25,000 in contingency funds. The agreement is for $154,516.57, there is a 15% contingency for additional expenses budgeted for an amount not to exceed $180,000.
The 2025 budget account number 101-1370-440.32-20 has $180,000 for these services.
•Consent was given to a Resolution and Ordinance approving a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Liberty and Eola Subdivision, at the southwest Corner of Liberty Street and N. Eola Road.
The Petitioner Eola Liberty LLC is requesting approval of a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Liberty and Eola Subdivision, at the southwest corner of Liberty Street and N. Eola Road, for a car wash, single bay use and a future commercial building which includes combining a previous buildable lot with the adjacent detention lot.
City government of Aurora documents show the Property is vacant with B-2(C) General Retail District with a Conditional Use and OS-1(C) Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District Zoning with a Conditional Use zoning, which is part of the Liberty and Eola Subdivision Conditional Use Planned Development.
The Petitioner is requesting approval of a revision to the Preliminary Plan and Plat for Liberty and Eola Subdivision for a Car Wash, Single Bay (2832) Use and a future commercial building. The Preliminary Plan and Plat Revision is very similar to the original. The major change is the consolidation of the third buildable lot along Eola Road with the detention lot. The project still proposes an approximate 5,000 square foot car wash on a 69,518 square foot lot at the corner of Liberty Street and Eola Road. A second 72,565 square foot lot is being planned for future commercial development. The car wash is in the process of being developed and will subsequently come through with a Final Plan and Plat following entitlements. The other lot noted as future only shows a hypothetical layout that maximizes potential development opportunities. Final Plans for the future lots will be required once specific projects are proposed. The third lot now consists of 94,969 square feet for stormwater detention along with a drive aisle to access the entrance on Eola.
The access remains the same with a full access off Liberty Street that is setback as far from Eola Road as possible being around 350 feet from the intersection. The second access to the site was originally approved as a full access on Eola Road but has changed to a three-quarter entrance. A southbound right turn lane has also been added to Eola Road.
The car wash includes three queue lanes with one additional preparation lane to the side. These lanes will merge into a single lane to enter the single-bay car wash. Cars will exit out of the car wash onto the internal drive aisle and can either go east to the vacuum spots and to the entrance on Eola Road or west towards the entrance on Liberty Street. Twenty-six vacuum stalls are provided with three employee parking spaces.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting a Plan Description Revision to the Conditional Use Planned Development to change approximately 0.9 acres of the property from B-2(C) General Retail District with a Conditional Use to OS-1(C) Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District with a Conditional Use. The details of the request include changing the approved plan description from three lots zoned with underlying B-2 Business District – General Retail to two lots zoned with underlying B-2 Business District – General Retail. The previous third buildable lot will be consolidated with the stormwater detention facility and will be zoned underlying OS-1 Conservation, Open Space, and Drainage District. Upon further review, the third parcel cannot feasibly be developed; therefore, it will be consolidated with the detention lot and expand the detention.
As a reminder, in 2023, the petitioner requested the creation of the Liberty and Eola Subdivision Conditional Use Planned Development to allow for the property to be rezoned to permit the development of a single-bay car wash, future commercial development, and stormwater management. The details of the request included a Plan Description that allows for modifications to the uses and bulk restrictions. The following aspects of the Plan Description will remain. This includes allowing one Car Wash, Single-Bay (2832) use on Lot 2 while prohibiting additional uses. The minimum interior side yard setback on the western property line of Lot 1 abutting residential, was increased from 20 feet to 50 feet. The Landscaping and Screening requirements were amended to require the installation of a three-to-five-foot berm and an 8’ privacy fence along the western property line of Lot 1 at the time of development of Lot 2, being the car wash, along with the installation of the required perimeter yard and buffer yard landscaping at the time of development of Lot 2, or Lot 1 being whichever occurs first.
Staff members have reviewed the Preliminary Plan and Plat Resolution petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances.
•Consent was given to a Resolution awarding Anthem Excavation & Demolition Inc Aurora, Ill. as the 2025 contractor with a possible two 1-year extension for Junk and Trash abatement services within the City of Aurora Ill.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval for Junk and Trash removal due to code enforcement citations.
Property Standards is responsible for the enforcement of the junk and trash ordinance on private property. Junk and Trash removal is an important part of the abatement process to maintain the neighborhood affected in a safe and sanitary condition.
A formal bid request was sent out for the Junk and Trash removal services for private properties after being cited and the abatement hasn’t been attained by the owner of the property within the City of Aurora Illinois. Responses were received from four vendors with Anthem Excavation & Demolition Inc. of Aurora, IL being the lowest, responsible bidder.
This bid was subject to the local preference ordinance; however, it did not impact the decision.
The contract will be for a one year term with two 1-year extensions based on mutual agreement between the contractor and the City of Aurora.
Funding for the services will be account 101-1827-424.36-20. The account has enough funds to cover expenses through 2025 and will continue to be funded in future years.
This resolution must be approved to provide Junk and trash abatement services through code enforcement citations within the city of Aurora Illinois limits.
•Consent was given to a Resolution awarding Tavarez and Sons Lawn Care LLC of Aurora, Ill. as the 2025 contractor with a possible two 1-year extensions for grass and weeds abatement services within the City of Aurora Ill.
City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to obtain City Council approval for grass and weeds maintenance services due to code enforcement citations.
Property Standards is responsible for the enforcement of the Grass and Weeds ordinance on private properties. Maintenance of grass and weeds is an important part of the abatement process to keep the neighborhood affected in a safe and sanitary condition.
A formal bid request was sent out for the Grass and Weeds maintenance services for private properties after being cited and the abatement hasn’t been attained by the owner of the property within the City of Aurora Illinois.
A response was received from four vendors with Tavarez and Sons Lawn Care of Aurora, Ill. being the lowest bidders.
The contract will be for one year with the option of two 1-year extensions upon mutual consent between the City of Aurora and the vendor.
Funding for the services will be account 101-1827-424.36-15, $35,000. The account has enough funds to cover expenses through 2025.
This resolution must be approved to provide grass and weed abatement services through code enforcement citations within the City of Aurora Illinois limits.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing well maintenance services for Well No. 29 for the Water Production Division in an amount not to exceed $358,000.00.
The purpose is to obtain City Council authorization for Layne Christensen Company (Layne), 721 W. Illinois Avenue, Aurora, Ill., to perform all necessary services as described in Layne’s proposal letter to return Well No. 29 to full operational and functional status.
City government of Aurora documents show Well No. 29, at 1374 Deerpath Road, is a deep well with the pump and motor setting 858 feet below the surface and is normally capable of supplying approximately 1,700,000 gallons of water per day. The pumping equipment of the well experienced a failure January 7, 2025. Preliminary testing from the surface by both Water Production Division (WPD) staff members and Layne indicated an apparent electrical problem with the Flowserve-Byron Jackson 2400-volt, 400 horsepower, submersible well pump motor. In order to determine the exact cause of the motor failure, the well pump/motor assembly must be removed from the well for inspection and further testing. Under an initial purchase order of $42,750.00, Layne has completed the removal of the pumping equipment and diagnostic testing. The testing of the electrical system was acceptable; however, an actual mechanical failure of a thrust bearing was determined to be the root cause of the equipment failure.
The total estimated cost of all proposed and recently completed work by Layne to restore Well No. 29 to operational status is $357,317.00. A detailed breakdown of the estimated costs is presented in Layne’s proposal letter. The major project items include replacement of the motor, rehabilitation of the pump, repairs/replacement of the column piping, and well redevelopment. With the removal of the equipment, it is advantageous and convenient to perform redevelopment work of the underground, water-bearing geology utilizing the BoreBlast technique to improve the pumping water level in the well.
The city entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Layne in 2020 under Resolution No. R20-083, which provides a 5% discount on all labor and field services and a 10% discount on specialized services performed by Layne. Layne will perform all work on a time and material basis and will only be compensated for the actual work performed per the terms and conditions of the PSA. In addition, Layne is the sole regional factory authorized source for repair services of Flowserve-Byron Jackson pumps and motors utilized by the Water Production Division.
Funds are available in the 2025 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-38-31. A budget transfer of $20,000 is submitted to provide full funding for the estimated expense of this project.
The local vendor preference policy does not apply per section 2-409 as this is a noncompetitive situation.
The unavailability of approximately 1,700,000 gallons/day of raw source groundwater if the repairs are not completed.
•Consent was given to a Resolution to award a contract for site piping, vaults, and electrical improvements for the new Well 105 site in the amount of $963,175.00 for the Water Production Division.
The purpose is to obtain City Council approval to award a contract to H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc., Plano, Ill., for the Well 105 Site Piping, Vaults, & Electrical Improvements project, for the Water Production Division (WPD) in an amount of $963,175.00.
City government of Aurora documents show the new Well 105 is at 2390 W. Illinois Avenue, the site of fire station #10 in Ward 5. Drilling of the new well was completed during Phase I of this project. Phase II will complete all infrastructure related improvements to the site including connection of underground piping from the well to the raw water collector main, underground vaults for metering equipment, valves, and electrical. A wellhouse or shelter will be provided for ancillary control equipment, including SCADA, communications, and electrical.
The WPD previously hired Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) to perform the necessary professional services for design, construction observation, and project administration as the engineer of record.
The project to perform the subject work was publicly advertised on January 26, 2025 (Bid No. 25-009) and bids were opened on February 19, 2025. Three bids were received.
The lowest bid is $963,175 submitted by H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc. Additional bids of $988,788 and $1,200,993 were also submitted. CMT provided an engineer’s estimate of $948,250 for this project. A letter of recommendation from CMT to award this project to H. Linden & Sons Sewer and Water Inc. was submitted and the WPD concurs with the recommendation.
CIP #I047 provided original budgetary funding. The project associated with that CIP was completed substantially under budget, allowing funding to be reallocated for the purpose of completing Well 105, which replaces Well 103. The funding is available in the 2025 budget in account 510-4058-511-73-04.
The Local Preference Ordinance did apply to this bid but did not impact the final bid results.
•Consent was given to a Resolution awarding Property First, Hazel Crest, Ill. as the 2025 contractor for Downtown mowing and landscape maintenance with the option for two 1-year extensions.
The purpose is to obtain City Council approval for mowing and landscape maintenance in the downtown.
City government of Aurora documents show the Downtown Services division is responsible for mowing and landscape maintenance of the downtown area. Mowing and maintenance includes 17,600 square yards of area adjacent to parking lots, and 22,800 square yards of green open space and right-of-way.
A formal bid request was sent out for the mowing and landscape maintenance of the downtown for the 2025 season and included the option for two 1-year extensions. Responses were received from 11 vendors. Property First from Hazel Crest, Ill., was the lowest responsible bidder who submitted bids for all tasks proposed. The bid did not allow for splitting the services among multiple vendors. References listed on Property First bid were called and the reviews were positive. The contracted vendor will provide mowing services, edging, and spreading of City supplied mulch as needed. The mowing season typically runs from April to the end of October.
The City’s Local Preference Ordinance did apply but the only local bid was outside the percentage to match.
Funding for the services will be from accounts 520-4030-418.36-15 ($12,201.38) and 101-4030-418.36-15 ($13,996.60). Both mowing accounts have enough funds to cover the year 2025 expenses.
•Consent was given to a Resolution to award a contract to RJN Group, Inc. in the amount of $271,500 for the 2025 and 2026 Overlay Manhole Inspections throughout the City of Aurora.
The purpose is to execute a contract to allow RJN Group, Inc. to provide engineering services for inspecting and providing repair recommendations for approximately 2,500 sanitary and storm manholes that are within the limits of the City’s Overlay Program for 2025 and 2026. The project manager from RJN Group, Inc, has successfully provided similar services to the City in past.
City government of Aurora documents show request for qualifications are not subject to the local preference policy.
The City published a request for qualifications that was advertised on January 17, 2025, and five firms submitted statements of qualifications. RJN Group, Inc. was selected as the most qualified firm by a three-person review panel. After being notified of their selection, RJN Group, Inc. prepared a proposal which includes a baseline scope of services with a not-to-exceed fee of $271,500. Account 510-4063-511-73-14 (IB018) has a current 2025 balance of $2,500,000.
The Local Preference Ordinance does not apply to Request for Qualification selection.
There may be lane closures during the duration of the contract where manhole inspections are being performed.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the execution of real estate contracts to purchase properties for the Farnsworth Bilter Church Roadway Expansion Project, in the amount of $290,000.00
The purpose is to authorize the purchase of right-of-way and temporary easements for the Farnsworth Bilter Church Roadway Expansion Project.
City government of Aurora documents show this project has been planned for many years as the ultimate build-out of Farnsworth Ave and Bilter Road for the sections covered in this contract. The project is on Farnsworth Avenue from I-88 interchange to the lane drop approximately 700 feet south of Butterfield Rd, Bilter Rd from Church Road intersection to the west leg of Premium Outlets Blvd and Church Rd from approximately 220 feet north of the Bilter Rd intersection to approximately 800 feet south of the Bilter Intersection in the City of Aurora, Kane County. The gross and net length is 9,134 ft (1.73 miles).
The work consists of roadway widening and resurfacing of approximately 1.73 miles. Farnsworth Ave is widening from a 4-lane section to a 6-lane section consistent with the cross section found north of Butterfield Road. Bilter Road is generally widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 4-lane cross section and Church Road is widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 3-lane cross section. The work will generally include the removal and replacement of existing pavement, installation of new watermain, storm sewer, sidewalk, ADA ramps, bike path, lighting and traffic signals along with work including signing, intersection radii widening, pavement marking, landscaping, and all other collateral work necessary to complete the project in accordance with the plans.
This resolution will provide authorization to proceed with the acquisition of temporary easement and Right of Way. The Corporation counsel, City engineer and respective designees shall represent the City in the acquisition of these parcels. The City has received acceptances from 6 of the 15 owners previously, this batch includes an additional 4 parcels. Bringing the total to 10 parcels who have accepted the offers made by the City and Contracts to Purchase said properties have been executed or are in the process of being executed by said owners. The 5 Parcels are numbers 004, 0010, 0012, and 0018. The prices range from $12,000.00 to $160,000.00 depending on the size and scope of the acquisition. The total amount of those settlements is $290,000.00.
•Consent was given to a Resolution authorizing the director of Purchasing Department to execute a contract with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Aurora, IL, in the amount of $200,000 for water main flushing.
The purpose is to maintain water main quality throughout the water distribution system.
City government of Aurora documents show regular maintenance of the water distribution system is necessary to keep the system working well. One component of the maintenance program is water main flushing.
The velocity of the water flowing through most water mains is usually low, therefore as time passes any solids in the water tend to settle at the bottom of the pipe. Though harmless, these solids can be stirred up when there is an increase in flow velocity from events such as main breaks or hydrant use.
Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. (CMT) was selected to update and maintain a computer model of the City’s distribution system. The model is utilized for various purposes including identification of the necessary valve closures to produce the flow rates required to remove sediment from the mains. Due to their knowledge of the computer model, CMT is uniquely qualified to provide this professional service as well as direction to city employees during the flushing operation.
This contract will provide for the services of one staff member full-time and a second person part time from CMT to direct the program. The remaining 4-6 team members required each day will come from the Water and Sewer Maintenance and Engineering Divisions. It is estimated that during the four months that the flushing is ongoing, approximately 20% of the system will be flushed.
A separate $14,500 task has been identified within this contract for modifying the water model relating to the flushing program and to update the water model on an annual basis for any new improvements. These updating efforts will help keep the City’s water model current and accurate.
The water main flushing ($200,000) will be funded with account 510-4063-511-38-68 which has a 2025 budget amount of $240,000.
Generally, the impact is minimal, however users may notice a slight discoloration of water during and for a short time after the flushing procedures. Motorists may be stopped intermittently while the crews are working, and some lane closures are to be anticipated. The City will use localized signs alerting residents to the fact that flushing is ongoing and will use the City’s social media outlets to alert the general public. Any users that could be more adversely impacted are given specific notice to allow them time to modify any processes that may be affected due to the temporary change in the water.
•Consent was given to a Resolution approving the appointment of Darice Jados, Javi Terrazas, and Richard Mulligan to the Aurora LGBTQ Advisory Board.
City government of Aurora documents show in June of 2021, the City Council approved changes to Chapter 2, which included a sunset provision for all board/commission members. The sunset was included to bring the board/commission terms into compliance with the new dates provided in the ordinance, as well as survey members if they wished to continue to serve or step down.
The nomination brought forth represents three new members: Darice Jados, Ward 10 resident; Javi Terrazas, Ward 3 resident; Richard Mulligan, Ward 6 resident.
•Final approval for items on the Committee of the Whole consent agenda are set to be made at the March 25 Aurora City Council meeting.
•Placed on hold for two weeks is a Resolution authorizing approval of a Short-Term Loan Agreement between the City of Aurora and Delicia Bowling for the purpose of facilitating the opening of The Soul Spot, a soul food restaurant, in Unit E4 at the Fox Valley Mall at 195 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, Ill.
City government of Aurora documents show the Loan Agreement will help to facilitate Delicia Bowling to open “The Soul Spot”, a soul restaurant. The agreement codifies the commitments from Delicia Bowling that triggers City incentives that will be repaid to the City as described below.
The commercial space, formerly occupied by Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery who left in 2017, to which another eatery temporarily occupied the space in 2021. Despite its prime location, the space has remained vacant not generating any sales tax revenue during this time, an opportunity loss for the city, and its taxpayers estimated at over $160,000 over four years (2021-2025).
Delicia owned and operated Mandy’s Soul Food in Bolingbrook for seven years until making the decision to bring her successful and established business to Aurora.
Delicia has recently signed a lease agreement with Centennial Real Estate Management, LLC to improve and occupy the 6,251 square feet restaurant space.
Delicia has invested over $350,000 in kitchen equipment that she is bringing to this space. This together with the landlord’s commitment to invest $110,000 to ensure that all equipment is in working order has limited some, but not all, of the costs to open the restaurant. Certain equipment will have to be replaced as this kitchen is smaller and has a layout that is different than her previous space. In addition, there are requirements for new signage, retrofitting, and working capital in addition to the funds that has already been expended. The City will require a final drawing(s) as a part of the permitting process, and no loan disbursement will happen prior to this time.
The Fox Valley Mall has undergone significant redevelopment beginning in 2019 following the City’s adoption of Route 59 Corridor Plan. At that time the new owners of the mall, Centennial, were faced with an aging traditional mall that had just lost Sears, Carson’s, and neighboring Toys R Us. Over the last several years Centennial has invested millions of dollars in renovating the mall into a mixed-use development. The primary focus has been to demolish the vacant anchors and construct new market-rate apartments. The First phase was Lumen, a 304-unit apartment complex that is doing extremely well. The second phase of the redevelopment is underway, which includes the construction of a 323-unit luxury apartment community. The next phase will be a 212-unit senior housing development called Sophia.
While the focus has been on creating new residential, Centennial has always been focused on supporting and attracting new retail. While the inside of the mall has been doing very well, trying to attract stand-alone retail and restaurants outside the mall has been challenging. One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of visibility from Route 59 which is a key requirement for most retailers and restaurants.
Competition in this area continues to increase especially with the new Block 59 development just to the east in Naperville. It’s worth noting that even Naperville approved incentives to help with the Block 59 project. Naperville provided a 1% sales tax incentive for the Block 59 development. This tax is applied to retail and restaurant sales within the business district, which includes the Westridge Court and Heritage Square shopping centers. The revenue generated from this tax is intended to fund the estimated $13.4 million in infrastructure improvements needed for the project. It is important to note that the majority of the West bridge/Heritage tenants are national brands with significant corporate capital as compared to the three minority owned businesses that are and will occupy these close proximate spaces next to Macys.
While this redevelopment is in the Fox Valley TIF District, the City is not planning to use Tax Increment Funding for incentives in this project.
Centennial and the City are both excited about attracting a new restaurant destination into the Fox Valley Mall – and it’s “front-facing” unit – will continue to strengthen the mall as a walkable, mixed-use development.
The City joined forces with the SBA funded “Small Business Entrepreneurial Center” at Waubonsee to assure the comprehensiveness of the projections. Aside from guiding financial operations the projections estimate revenues which in turn will generate new incremental Sales/Food and Beverage Taxes.
Financial Overview:
Contributed Capital – $350,000.00 (Equipment)
The Soul Spot Equity – $30,000
Total Owner Contribution = $380,000
Landlord equity – $110,000.00
City Short Term Loan – $75,000.00
Fundamental to all restaurants that require incentives is that the City will be paid back.
The incentives being offered as a part of this Agreement are:
- A City loan of $75,000 (Paid through sales/ food and beverage taxes over a three (3) year period and personally guaranteed)
- $20,000 for kitchen equipment
- $8,000 for FF&E
- $10,000 for Fire Suppression
- $2,200 for gas line
- $1,000 for electrical
- $2,000 for plateware, silverware, and drinkware
- $6,700 for signage
- $1,500 for miscellaneous contract work
- $23,600 working capital
- Restaurant will be open seven days a week with the following hours:
Monday-Friday 10am-8pm
Thursday-Friday 10am-8pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
Total annual sales are estimated at a minimum of $1,000,000 which would produce $37,500 in sales/food and beverage annually.
•No action was needed for two Resolutions approving a revision to the final plan on Lot 1 of Aurora Public Safety Campus Subdivision, near the Northwest Corner of East Indian Trail and North Farnsworth Avenue, for a Public Facilities and Services Use.
The city of Aurora is requesting approval of a Final Plan for Lot 1 of Aurora Public Safety Campus Subdivision, near the northwest corner of East Indian Trail and North Farnsworth Avenue, includes construction of a new Fire Station #4 on the eastern portion of the Property.
City government of Aurora documents show the Property is zoned B-2(C), Business District – General Retail with a Conditional Use Planned Development. The approved Plan Description is O00-152, with the use and bulk restrictions complying with the B-2 zoning district’s standards. The existing subdivision, Aurora Police Department subdivision, was approved per PDFNL10.16, and includes a three lot subdivision: Lot 1, which is approximately 15 acres, contains the Aurora Police Department’s existing building; Lot 2, which is approximately five acres, is vacant, with the exception of portions of the existing parking lot; and, Lot 3, which is approximately five acres, and contains a detention pond.
The Property is a total of approximately 25 acres, and fronts on E Indian Trail and Reckinger Rd. The Comprehensive Plan designates the Property as Commercial, and designates the adjacent block of E Indian Trail as Arterial and the adjacent block of Reckinger Rd as Minor Collector.
The city of Aurora is requesting approval of a Final Plan for Aurora Public Safety Campus subdivision for a Public Facilities and Services use, which includes construction of a new Fire Station #4, which is to be in the southeastern portion of the new Lot 1. The proposed Fire Station #4 is a two-story building with a footprint of approximately 29,800 square feet. The building includes space for fire prevention in its southeastern portion, which includes four bay doors, while the northwestern portion will include office space for Emergency Medical Agency (EMA), as well as other City staff members that may need to operate from the new building.
The Final Plan also utilizes the existing access to E Indian Trail, which is intended to serve on-site services for both the Police Station and Fire Station #4. This existing and proposed access is to be used for passenger vehicles. The Final Plan includes a new access along the Property’s southeastern frontage that is to be utilized as the primary entrance and exit for fire trucks, and the adjacent raised median is also shown to be removed to allow for fire truck access.
The Final Plan shows a connection to the Police Department’s existing drive aisles that provides access to Reckinger Rd. However, the primary use of this drive aisle is not intended for fire trucks. North of Fire Station #4 is a new diesel fuel dispenser, which is intended to serve the fire trucks. There is also a new fuel island to the northwest of the fire station, along the Police Department’s eastern drive aisle, that is intended to serve other on-site vehicles.
The Final Plan also indicates expansion of the existing parking lot along E Indian Trail, which is to serve on-site services for both the Aurora Police Department and the Aurora Fire Department. The Final Plan shows 165 parking spaces in the area directly surrounding the proposed Fire Station #4. The minimum parking requirement, which is based on office and conference space within the building, is 35 parking spaces.
The proposed parking lot is to utilize permeable pavers, which is consistent with the existing parking lot materials. Fire Station #4 is also shown to utilize the existing detention pond on Lot 2. The Final Plan also incorporates existing plazas and walking paths into its proposed design between E Indian Trail and Reckinger Rd. The Final Plan includes a dedicated area north of the fire station for a solar panel array.
The Landscape Plan shows sufficient landscaping in the area surrounding the proposed Fire Station #4 and its accompanying impact, as well as existing conditions, such as the expanded parking lot along E. Indian Trail. The landscaping also includes adequate buffering along the eastern property line, where adjacent to the existing residential apartment complex. The Photometric Plan indicates the lighting on the Property to be less than one footcandle at the property line, which is the City’s requirement. The Building Elevations indicate the structure consists of mostly masonry and rib metal panel, with glass paneling on the upper floors, which is intended to match the character of the existing police station. The building has a peak height of 27 feet, 8 inches.
Concurrently with this proposal, the City of Aurora is requesting approval of the Final Plat for Aurora Public Safety Campus subdivision. The details of the request include consolidating Lot 1 and Lot 2 of the existing Aurora Police Department subdivision into a single lot, which will contain the proposed Fire Station #4. The proposed Lot 1 is approximately 20 acres. The detention pond, previously known as Lot 3, is remaining the same, with the exception of being re-identified as Lot 2, which is consistent with the previously existing Lot 1 and Lot 2 being consolidated into Lot 1. There is an existing Access Easement that runs along the Property’s frontage on E. Indian Trail, and which is intended to be utilized for parking and access to E Indian Trail. The eastern portion of the same Access Easement is being concurrently proposed to be removed via a Plat of Vacation for the proposed Fire Station #4.
Staff members have reviewed the Final Plan petition and have sent comments back to the design team based on those submittals. The requested changes have been made to the documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances.
The scope of the proposal goes to great lengths to incorporate the proposed fire station into the subdivision’s existing conditions. The primary efforts include utilizing the existing access from E Indian Trail, as well as the accompanying parking lot, with the Police Station. The Final Plan also shows the new fire station as utilizing the existing detention pond. There is also a 100 foot wide stormwater control easement on the eastern portion of Lot 1, which is to assist in drainage.
In addition to the details of the proposal mentioned above in this staff member report, there are additional topics of the proposal worth noting. In particular, the new Fire Station #4 is intended to replace the existing Fire Station #4, which is at 800 Michels Avenue. The process of moving Fire Station #4’s operations to the Property will not only allow for continued fire safety in the community, but will also serve as a multi-purpose staff member center for not only fire safety employees, but EMA and other City staff members that work at other locations.
Per the proposed Final Plan, it is determined the existing parking lot, which was planned in 2010, is encroaching the minimum Front setback of 30 feet by 16 feet. Based on staff members’ review, it appears the E. Indian Trail right-of-way has since been dedicated, thereby creating a non-conforming Front setback on the otherwise compliant property. As a result, staff members have internally reviewed a minor variance, which is necessary, in this case, to reduce bulk restrictions that have been impacted due to the acquisition of land for public purposes. While the minor variance is within the scope of this proposal, it is an internal staff member review process that may be granted by the Zoning Department administrator.