Addison Avenue Project Debated In Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL — Two Elmhurst aldermen on Monday opposed using money designated for the development of a particular business district for paving streets. But the majority disagreed, voting to allow such money for a project on Addison Avenue.

At Monday's City Council meeting, aldermen Michael Bram and Bob Dunn argued against using money from the North York Tax Increment Financing District to be spent on paving Addison, which runs parallel to York Street one block away. The project in question would target Addison from Diversey to Wrightwood avenues.

Under Illinois law, the growth in property tax revenue in a TIF district is earmarked for development in that district. The money is kept separately from other accounts.

"(The North York) TIF is relatively early in its existence," the Third Ward's Bram said. "There is still a lot of opportunity. I'm concerned with using TIF funds, rather than capital improvement funds, until the TIF becomes more mature."

In response, City Manager Jim Grabowski said the capital fund was "pretty low" for paving streets, adding that TIF money has been used for paving streets before. The Addison project is estimated to cost $240,000, leaving about $400,000 in the account for other projects in the North York district, officials said.

Dunn, who represents the Second Ward, said the North York TIF was created to "kickstart the corridor." But he said "putting concrete on Addison" is not within the objectives of that fund. Besides, he said, Addison is considered secondary to York.

Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner said North York was "ripe for development."

"With the current condition of the street, it's hard for us to do anything there," Mulliner said.

Fourth Ward Alderwoman Noel Talluto disagreed with the idea of tapping into the capital funds account for the Addison project.

"We're already deficit spending by $4 million. Adding $240,000 is just putting us more into the red," she said.

The council voted 10-2 to allow the $240,000 for Addison to come from the North York district. Dunn and Bram were the dissenters.