Title
Eagle Ridge Green Infrastructure Project - Tree Preservation and Green Infrastructure Account
History
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
On August 24, 2014, the Village Board of Trustees approved the Evergreen Senior Living project (10758 183rd Street). A detention basin constructed on the southeast side of the senior living campus was designed to convey overflow stormwater into the adjacent Village owned property and then sheet flows into a nearby 48” inlet. This has resulted in standing water issues as well as the degradation of a Village multi use path located in the area between the Evergreen Senior Living detention basin and the abovementioned inlet.
The Village has received complaints about standing water and damage to the multi-use path from residents of the Eagle Ridge subdivision, which abuts the project area. Additionally, large areas within the project area are overgrown with invasive weeds, which have negatively impacted the Evergreen Senior Living detention basin landscaping. The Parks Department currently mows this area twice a year to keep the weeds in check.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION and OBJECTIVE
Members from the Parks and Development Services Departments met on site with Hey and Associates in August, 2018 to review the abovementioned stormwater and landscaping issues. All in attendance agreed that a green infrastructure solution would be a viable option, as through this approach stormwater and landscaping issues could be addressed, a butterfly / pollinator habitat could be created and a seating area along the bike path with interpretive signage for residents to enjoy could be installed. The project would also minimize the nuisance caused by invasive weeds throughout the area and reduce the work required by the Parks Department to keep these weeds under control.
As encouraged in the Village's Comprehensive Plan (see Open Space, Parks and Recreation Section), this project would focus heavily on the establishment of pollinator habitat through plant material selection as well as incorporate interpretation components, through educational site signage, that inform the public about pollinator conservation and green infrastructure. Additionally, the proposed project would complement the adjacent open space around Eagle Ridge Park.
The project area is Village owned but does contain ComEd power lines and Enbridge utility easements, which will be taken into consideration during the design phase of this project. The Village plans to present the project to both ComEd and Enbridge before construction occurs. Hey and Associates has provided the Village with a concept plan and project cost estimate (see attached).
TIMELINE
If Board approves the use of TPGIA funds for this project, Hey and Associates would begin work on a final project design and construction documents. The project would then go out to bid, and once the contractor was approved by Board, construction could begin in the Summer or Fall, 2019.
On 02/18/2019, the Development Services, Planning and Engineering Committee recommended this project for approval.
Financial Impact
The project estimate for design, construction, and contingency is approximately $70,000 (see attached project cost estimate). A minimum 3-year maintenance plan will be included in the contractor selection process for this project with the contractor to ensure the project is well established and maintained. This would be a recurring cost of approximately $5,000/year for 3 years, or $15,000, bringing the total project cost estimate to $85,000. The cost for additional years of maintenance will likely be requested at a later date to ensure the long-term viability of this project.
Funds for this project are available in the Tree Preservation and Green Infrastructure Account (TPGIA) # 010-0000-223100. The Village’s TPGIA was set up specifically for green infrastructure projects such as the proposed project. The Village is also currently applying for a ComEd Green Region Grant, which would potentially cover up to $10,000 of the project costs if awarded by ComEd.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the use of funds from the Tree Preservation and Green Infrastructure Account in an amount not to exceed $85,000.00 for the design, construction and maintenance of the Eagle Ridge Green Infrastructure Project.