Politics & Government

Is the Village Using its Grant Money on the Right Downtown Improvements?

Frankfort officials have $400,000 thanks to a state grant, and they've laid out four projects. What do you think about those plans?

Last week, .

Now the public gets its turn to weigh in on the planned downtown improvements at a meeting today at 6:30 p.m. at the . There also will be a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the before the board votes on approving what to do with grant money.

Here's what's on the table: 

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  • Paririe Park parking lot development: Create a 1.5-acre parking lot on the 3.5-acre, village-owned tract of land adjacent to Prairie Park and the  in . The remaining 2.3 acres would be landscaped. Cost: $275,000.
  • Downtown streetscape improvements: Work along Kansas Street would rebuild sidewalks and relocate curbs and landscaping at the corners of Kansas and Ash streets and Kansas and Oak streets. Plans show a possible outdoor sidewalk cafe seating added to . Cost:$15,000 to $20,000.
  • Lights on  parking lot: Lights would be added to the lot to improve pedestrian safety. Cost: $45,000.
  • Downtown lighting improvements: Replace streetlights throughout the downtown area to improve public safety. The project would need 20 lights at $3,500 each. Cost: $70,000.

So far public response has been reserved, to say the least. Most residents have appreciated simply being asked for their opinions, said Mayor Jim Holland, who has been talking to people about the improvements.  

"It's not so much that (the comments) have been good or bad, just that people are glad that they're being informed," he said. "People appreciate being asked."

Find out what's happening in Frankfortwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What do you think about these proposed improvements? Is the village using the grant money on the right things. Take our poll and tell us what you think in our comments.


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