By Bob Balgemann, REPORTER

 As 2016 drew to a close, three of the Village’s key leaders offered this retrospective: “The state of the Village of Machesney Park is strong.” “As stewards of the community’s finances, the Village continues to make calculated decisions that successfully meet Machesney Park’s needs, while ensuring safety, enhancing infrastructure and enabling progress in our business community,” Mayor Jerry D. Bolin said. “The Village’s dedicated staff members continue to serve as a model of efficiency to provide essential public services to citizens,” he added.

A look at the accomplishments of the past year was put together by Mayor Bolin, who is concluding his first four-year term; Village Administrator Tim Savage, second to have been in that position; and Community Development Director James Richter II, one of the most recent additions to the administrative staff.

Investment of tax money is one of the most important decisions a municipality can make. Sometimes taking an expensive step isn’t all that difficult, because of the rewards a particular project will bring.

Construction of the Alpine Path along Alpine Road from Lowe’s to near Schnuck’s grocery was talked about for quite a while. An estimated $840,000 project, it happened in 2016, thanks to a combination of Village money and a $620,432 State grant. One of the obvious benefits is Harlem High School students who walk home after a day of classes will no longer will have to use the grassy right of way. Also, the path now links the Rock River with one of the entrances to Rock Cut State Park. This was a partnership that included the Village and Harlem School District 122. Machesney Park entered Phase III of the Flood Mitigation Program, which so far has allowed the Village to buy 101 lots along and near Shore Drive, which were flooded in June 2008. In this most recent phase, 12 houses and two lots have been acquired, with 10 of the buildings being demolished.

Widening of Illinois 173 was finished in 2016, a picnic shelter with seating was constructed at the Stone’s Landing boat ramp off Shore Drive and Bauer Parkway landscaping improvements were completed along the boulevard near Victory Lane, surrounding the flag pole. The Village did not escape the devastation brought by the Emerald Ash Borer, with 57 diseased trees being removed from the right of way through the Urban Forestry Management Program. And the Build Machesney Road Improvement Program started in 2008, continued last year with 1 1/2 miles being rebuilt and 3.2 miles being overlaid at a cost of $3.8 million. Voters in 2012 approved continuation of a penny sales tax that will continue through 2019, with the proceeds going exclusively for that road work.

Financial Improvements

During 2016 the Village took a number of steps to maintain its solid financial condition.

FILE PHOTO – The Journal.
Machesney Park Mayor Jerry Bolin takes pride in the accomplishments completed in the Village during the past year.

Proof positive is Machesney Park winning the Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. Paperwork was submitted last year to show why it should be recognized once more for that work. The Village has applied for an $87,500 Abandoned Property Program Grant to address the town’s appearance. If awarded, the Village Board would contribute an additional $12,500, for a total of $100,000 plus legal fees. That money would be used to address about 15 properties considered to be abandoned. The result would be four demolitions, garbage and debris removal, trimming trees and brush and cutting weeds and grass. Aesthetics is also in focus through a $430,950 the Village is seeking through a housing blight abatement initiative, announced late last year by the Mayor and Administrator. The grant is being sought through the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

The Village a couple of years ago purchased the 110,000-square-foot J.C. Penney Outlet building at the south end of the Machesney Towne Center, off North Second Street. The goal is to lease 40,000 square feet of the space to retail, in front of the store, with the balance to offices. Asbestos abatement has been completed, officials said, at a far-reduced cost compared to the credit that was received at closing. The Village purchased the building for $900,000. In addition, the Village completed a maintenance agreement with the Rockford Park District and City of Loves Park for the Willow Creek Path, thereby apportioning parts of its maintenance to other jurisdictions. The multi-use walkway extends through Forest Creek Estates, crosses Forest Hills and Perryville Roads and continues on to the State park. lt is linked to the new Alpine Path. The Village sold 15.77 acres in the Timberlyne to recoup 35 percent of the cost to finish improvements to that subdivision.

Economic Development

Plenty happened in this important benchmark area during the past year. Fifteen new businesses came to town, occupying 100,425 square feet of space. They include:

U Break I Fix – a new mobile electronics repair facility.

Superior Spy Surveillance – a surveillance equipment retailer and installer, moving here from Rockford.

Sherwin Williams -a new paint and paint supply store in a new building.

Cataclysm Games/Collectibles – a new hobby store.

Phelps Industries – a new 30,000-square-foot pet treat manufacturing facility including cold storage.

All About Eyes – a new optometrist and eyeglass facility.

Plan B Tire & Auto – the former Carquest Auto Parts building now is occupied by a new tire store.

RUE 21 – a new apparel retailer, which relocated from Johnsburg.

ATI Physical Therapy – in a new building.

ServiCom – a new call center location, accommodating AT-T Mobility/ Sirius AM contracts.

The Nail & Hair Bar – a new salon near Gil’s Diner.

New restaurants locating in the Village were – Yumberry, a frozen yogurt shop; Eggspress; and Potbelly Sandwich Shop.

There was a relocation with One Main Financial now being located at 1419 West Lane Road.

In-store renovations occurred at By the Dozen Bakery, 8324 N. Second St.; AT&T Mobile, 1574 West Lake Road; Verizon Wireless, 1523 West Lane Road; and Little Caesar’s Pizza, 617 Harlem Road. New building construction took place at 1419 West Lane, a 15,516-square-foot building with four tenants and room for one more, along with 6901 N. Second St., 5,663 square feet of space to be housing a laundromat and restaurant. Expansions took place at LTM Water, 841 N. Second St., covering 560 square feet, and at Electroform, 11070 Raleigh Court, 1,320 square feet.

Changes at Village Hall

Last year the Village hired new Community Development Director (Richter), who has more than 15 years of experience, along with a Code Enforcement Inspector, with more than 11 years on the job. The Administrative staff completed a salary study of all positions while completing job description re-writes for all positions.

Code updates affected off-highway vehicles and hours of operations, garbage collection and enforcement, rules and procedures for public comment at open meetings and boat launch park rules. Development standards were enhanced for commercial design, industrial design, massage parlors, shooting ranges, parking requirements and multi-family planned unit developments.      

 
 
 
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