If the East Dandi Village Board decides to proceed with the construction of the parking deck at 110N River St., the ground floor will include a commercial space designed to fit with the historic city, the trustees decided this week.
The board temporarily selected a concept in which parking sites would be hidden behind the storefront that will sell the village retailers.
A formal vote in which the board will be committed to the construction of the deck, estimated to be approximately $ 6 million, will be taken in April.
The East Dandi Village Board has to vote in April whether it wants to proceed with the construction of the downtown parking deck. This is a rendering that what can it look when construction is done. (Village of East Dundi)
At the board’s Monday meeting, the trustees agreed that more parking needs the city. Village Chairman Jeff Linam, who has advocated the parking deck for the last few years, said “We are parking at the top of each other” most of Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when large community programs are held.
If the East Dandi is going to grow and remains viable, additional parking is required, he said. But unlike most parts of the board, he is strongly opposing a deck that will include commercial development, he said.
“If we do this, I see it as a left hook. I really do, “Linam said. “It is a municipal property. It should remain the property of a municipality.
“To be quite honest, I would suggest that if we go with commercial we consider eighty-six,” he said. “I don’t really believe that this is something we should do. The way we are doing the idea of joining the public sector and private sector is a very dangerous step to create. ,
Trustee Andy Sawder said that he is asking the residents online for his opinion and he found that they are divided on deck ideas.
He said, “It seems that it was unanimous that if we do a parking deck, everyone wants retail because they do not want to see a big parking garage because they go down from the main strip,” he said.
Public-private structures are not new, Sadar said. Such projects have been done in other communities and they can work if they are properly and legally established, they said.
Linum encouraged the residents to weigh and share their opinion with the trustees.
Consultants have provided the board with three garage options: one alone for a deck and two others which include commercial space. In the meeting, the trustees indicated that they favor the option that provides 132 parking space and 6,295 square feet of retail.
Construction funding will come from several sources, including grants, TIF district funds and a bond sale. According to a local reaaltar, selling retail space will generate around $ 600,000, the bond will reduce the sale amount by about $ 3.9 million.
Village Administrator Erica Stli said that a final vote would be taken after the completion of the final design and submission to the board in April. Assuming that it is approved, the groundbreaking will be determined by July and the construction will be completed by the end of the year, he said.
Gloria Cassus is a freelance reporter for Currier-News.