Better Outlook For Western Springs Flood Projects: Officials

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs officials said this week the village got good news on how to pay the expected $8.1 million in flooding projects for the Springdale and Ridgewood neighborhoods.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, trustees were told the village received $1 million from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for the Springdale project, which includes a detention basin at Springdale Park.

Also, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, promised to lobby for $1 million for the Ridgewood project, officials said.

"The projects last year that made his list got funded," said Jeff Koza, the village's engineer.

According to village estimates, the Springdale work is estimated at $5.7 million, while Ridgewood's is expected to be as high as $2.4 million.

Next month, the Village Board is set to vote on a stormwater fee that officials say will bring in $1.2 million a year. This fee would affect all local homeowners, with most having to pay $210 a year.

The village plans to go into debt for the flood projects, covering the payments with the stormwater fee.

Village President Heidi Rudolph welcomed the latest developments.

"It sounds like with the most recently received news that we're receiving approximately 25 percent of (the $8.1 million) covered through grants," she said. "That's outstanding news. I don't think we necessarily expected that previously."

She said the projects in Springdale and Ridgewood were important.

"This isn't going to get any better," she said.