Bensenville advances Evergreen special service area proposal after presentation and public comment

The Village of Bensenville held a public hearing Sept. 29 on a proposed Evergreen Special Service Area (SSA) to finance a street- and utility-rehabilitation project affecting Evergreen from Jefferson to Pine and the Horseshoe of Pine Park. Public Works Director Joe Caracci said the project would include full roadway reconstruction (10 inches of PCC pavement on 12 inches of aggregate base), new curb and gutter, new sidewalks, upgraded streetlight controls, a new 12-inch ductile-iron water main on Evergreen and sanitary sewer lining. "The total project cost, with design engineering, estimated construction, and estimated construction engineering is just, under $15,400,000 for this project," Caracci said during his presentation.

Caracci told the board the village secured a federal Surface Transportation Program grant of $4,235,000 and plans to cap SSA bonding at $3,000,000; the village would fund the remaining roughly $8,150,000 through its capital-improvement program. He noted an error in the draft ordinance that listed an incorrect initial tax rate and asked the board to direct staff to correct it. President (voice 1) moved to direct staff to reduce the "not to exceed" amount in the ordinance from an erroneous figure to $2.18 per $100 of equalized assessed value and the board approved the motion by roll call.

During public comment several business owners urged caution. Jay Cohen, who identified himself as the owner of record for property at 406 South Evergreen, filed a formal objection to establishing the SSA and any associated property-tax levy, saying the proposal would impose a "disproportionate financial burden" on industrial property owners and that Evergreen is a village thoroughfare that benefits the broader community. Owner William Burr said disruption to truck operations is his biggest concern: "I get anywhere from 8 to 10 semis a day," he said, asking how his business would operate during construction. Roy Jeris, another local business representative, said, "This is real... It's tough times for our business, and this is gonna hurt us," and asked whether the village could pursue less expensive design options.

Caracci and members of the board responded with construction-management details and precedents for industrial roadways: Caracci said crews can stage one-way operations, use temporary pavement and schedule work to maintain access, and reiterated that the SSA bond cap and interest-rate maximums in the ordinance would limit the village's collections. The public hearing record was closed after board discussion; the board did not adopt the SSA ordinance that night but voted to direct staff to make the noted correction for the ordinance to be considered at a later meeting.