Winnetka, News

Fourth phase of Winnetka’s streetscape work comes in under budget, business town hall set for Feb. 17

When the weather is ready, the Village of Winnetka will be too, according to Director of Engineering Jim Bernahl. 

Bernahl was referencing the fourth phase of the village’s downtown streetscape project during his presentation to the Winnetka Village Council Tuesday, Feb. 1, when trustees gave the final go ahead to Phase IV.

Bernahl also announced that a virtual town hall on the project is set for Feb. 17 with a morning ( 9 a.m.) and afternoon (3 p.m.) session. According to the Village, Economic Development Coordinator Liz Dechant will contact local businesses with further details on the town hall.

Basing this phase’s construction on lessons learned from previous phases, officials want construction to finish before July and are aiming to begin in March when weather allows. 

Phase IV will consist of improvements to portions of downtown Winnetka west of Green Bay Road, including Moffat Mall in Chestnut Court and Chestnut Street south of Elm Street, Elm Street west to Birch Street, Spruce Street west to Birch Street, and the Village Hall parking lot.

The project includes lighting, landscape and paver improvements to Moffat Mall; new sidewalks, planter pots and light poles; and additional pedestrian benches and gathering spaces.

Trustees approved Tuesday the bulk of the project cost via a $2.62 million no-bid contract with ALamp Concrete Contractors, the firm that handled the previous phases. The council also OK’d $140,000 for six new pedestrian lights from Sternberg that will be installed in Chestnut Court, including two leading into the west entrance of Village Hall. 

The project’s final cost estimate is $2.93 million, which is $138,891, or about 4.5 percent, shy of the original budget of $3.06 million.

Other costs include the relocation and consolidation of electrical infrastructure ($91,000), brick pavers ($32,500), holiday decor ($14,700) and irrigation repairs for Moffat Mall ($11,000), among others.

According to village documents a majority of the funding for Phase IV — $2.09 million — will come from the dedicated Business District Revitalization Fund. 

Prior to any construction, Bernahl said Village staff will finalize a construction schedule, meet with local businesses and community members, and prepare the project to begin as soon as possible in March.

Construction will likely start with the replacement of a water main that run under the east side of Chestnut Street, north side of Oak Street and north end of Chestnut Court, the documents say.


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joe coughlin
Joe Coughlin

Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319

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