Leftover Grant Money Could be Used on Breidert Green Stage

Remaining money from a state grant could end up going to improvements to the stage, said a village official Thursday. 

Last week, . At a Department of Operations meeting Wednesday, the possibility of using any leftover grant funds on the Green's stage, said Village Planning Supervisor Zach Brown at Thursday's meeting.

Here are the current proposals for the grant money: 

• 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 Breidert Green 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.

Although the engineer estimates given by the village equal more than $400,000, Brown said the actual costs of these projects usually are much lower once bids are brought in by contractors. Village officials are considering a fifth proposal, so they can be ready in case all the grant money isn't used on the initial projects, and that money isn't possibly lost, he added. 

There will be a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the  before the Village Board votes on approving what to do with grant money.