Brookfield may spend a $7,500 reimbursable grant from the Illinois Realtors Association on placemaking improvements for the tip of the triangle property at 8921 Fairview Ave.
Village trustees on June 8 considered a proposal for the grant — which Michael Bailey, the organization’s governmental affairs director, said has already been set aside for Brookfield — that could bring one or two benches, a bike rack, new landscaping and possibly a new sign to the corner of the property where Fairview and Brookfield avenues intersect.
“We have noticed a lot of economic development as well as opportunities to partner with the village. In discussing and meeting with village staff, we’ve seen a willingness to work together,” Bailey said of Illinois Realtors’ decision to grant the village this funding.
He said the project was proposed and sponsored by Kenya Williams, a Realtor who lives in Brookfield.
While members of the village board seemed excited about some parts of the proposal, others, notably the suggestion for a sign, drew criticism due to the village’s ongoing efforts to renew its branding materials. Several trustees expressed concerns that adding a sign could take the project out of the proposed reimbursable budget.
“I find it hard to imagine, knowing what other projects have cost, that we would get a sign and all these things in here for $7,500,” Village President Michael Garvey said.
The proposal included a rendering of what the area could look like after the improvements are made that includes three benches and extensive landscaping at the corner, which Trustee Jennifer Hendricks criticized.
“When things like this go out to the public and go out in the Landmark and are shown around town, and that’s not what’s installed, I think it erodes the public’s trust in us as a village,” she said. “What is shown and what’s in the proposal can’t be done for $7,500.”
Some members of the board and village staff suggested alternate areas that the pre-approved $7,500 grant could go toward improving instead. Trustee Kit Ketchmark said the funding could pay for new benches outside the Grossdale train station that houses Brookfield’s historical society while Assistant Village Manager Stevie Ferrari said it could facilitate the village’s planned project to improve Creekside Park with custom-painted benches made from reused wind turbines.
Bailey said there would be a chance of about 50% on whether he would be able to get the officers in charge of the grant funding to allow it to be used on another location than the one that they had already approved.
After much discussion, the board agreed to have Bailey look into whether targeting another location would be possible before bringing the idea back for another discussion as to where to improve and how to do so.
