Village, parks discuss current developments, census

The Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted three leaders of Bolingbrook during a lunch time panel at Beggar’s Pizza, 300 Veterans Parkway, Bolingbrook. Bolingbrook Deputy Mayor Mike Lawler, Bolingbrook Park District Executive Director Ron Oestreich and Bolingbrook Planning & Zoning Administrator Matt Eastman met with members of the business community to present updates on the village, the park district and the upcoming Census.

Lawler cited that the most significant project being managed by the Village is the north/south extension of Kings Road and the Rodeo Drive expansion with the roundabout.

“The Kings Road extension completes the last major north-south route in town,” Lawler said. “This project was begun last year but ran into several issues including a longer than anticipated timeline to relocate utilities by the respective companies. The other issue was extended rain that delayed completing the infrastructure for both roads.”

He also pointed out non-village development such as the Liberty Green residential development, the senior-restricted community west of the Bolingbrook Golf Club; and the Bluebell Ridge Townhome development across the street from Julian Plaza at Falconridge Drive and Boughton Road.

The most obvious potential new village development is Amazon’s purchase of the 130-acre site of the former Mannheim Auto Auction.

“Even with all the recent media attention, the issue is fairly simple,” said Lawler. “Any new business or residential development must comply with the zoning and development ordinances in the town they are looking to build. When Amazon submits their plans, those plans will be reviewed by the village administration and staff to ensure compliance with Village of Bolingbrook ordinances. There are specific steps for the entire review process. Even if people don’t understand or agree on some of the issues that have been raised, everyone who knows the area agrees that the development as is currently known will have a very negative impact on local traffic at Route 53 and Interstate 55.

Following the parks’ successful $14M referendum, Oestreich updated the audience on the progress of the implementation program.

“We replaced four playgrounds in 2019, Lily Cache Greenway, and Poplar, Jaycees, Heritage parks) and we’re replacing five this year (Central, River Bend, Indian Chase Meadows, Indian Boundary, and Remington parks),” he said.

Oestreich said the renovation of Pelican Harbor Island in Pelican Harbor at the Bolingbrook Recreation and Aquatics Complex (BRAC) is 90 percent complete. He said it will be finished by May 23 and will include four shade structures, grass turf and a rentable pavilion for picnics. The BRAC itself is going to get updating; including four changing rooms, renovated fitness and aquatics locker rooms, a new multi-purpose room, new roof and new flooring. Weather permitting Pelican Harbor opens May 23.

In 2020, the park district will continue connecting the village via bike paths with a connection between Weber Road and Veterans Parkway via Drafke Park, Oestreich said. The park district is working with the Army Corps of Engineers for approval of the bridge over the Lily Cache Creek, he said.

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the Bolingbrook Park District. The district has year-long plans to celebrate this milestone.

“We have so many things in the works for our 50th anniversary,” said Oestreich. “Just to name a few: a video highlighting residents enjoying the park district, 50th anniversary spreads in 2020 brochure series; 50th anniversary displays at the Bolingbrook Recreation and Aquatics Center and Annerino Center as well as a 50th Anniversary Logo on all of the park signs and maintenance trucks.”

Oestreich said the park district was also going to give each of their 2020 events a 50th anniversary spin.

Eastman’s biggest project is the upcoming U.S. Census. He stresses the importance of responding to the census

“Census data provides the basis for distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to communities across the country to support vital programs such as housing, education, transportation, employment, health care, and public policy,” he said.

He pointed out that like jury duty, responding is mandatory and a civic duty; and that the Census counts everyone living in the United States, regardless of citizenship status or age.

The 2020 Census is the first U.S. Census to allow response by smartphone or online. Residents can choose to respond by phone or by traditional paper questionnaire. Census forms will be available in 12 languages, and Census support and assistance will be available in 59 languages, American Sign Language, braille, and large print.

Starting March 12 letters will be delivered encouraging online census responses. From April 8-16 questionnaires are mailed to homes. Then on April 20, door-to-door canvassing begins. Eastman noted that it will be targeted canvassing; only to homes that have not yet responded to the census.

Eastman said the Fountaindale Public Library and DuPage Township is hosting open space (via Census and Coffee) for individuals without internet service to submit their Census questionnaires online. Light refreshments will be available.

Fountaindale Public Library

Tuesday, March 24: 1- 5 p.m. in Meeting Room A

Thursday, March 26: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Meeting Room A

Monday, March 30: 1- 5 p.m. in Meeting Room A

Wednesday, April 1 (Deadline Day): 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. in Meeting Room A

Mobile Census Center at Levy Center during Senior Club Luncheons

Tuesday, March 24 - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, March 31 - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Eastman stressed that personal information is kept confidential. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to protect your information and data is used only for statistical purposes The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home. There is no citizenship question on the 2020 Census.