Governor Quinn Announces $14.4 Million Investment in Chicago's Southland

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced $14.4 million in investments in several Chicago Southland communities for park development, recreational opportunities and stormwater management. Today's investments are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve lives, create jobs and drive the Southland's economy forward.

"Investments in park development and recreation are investments in the health, well-being and future of the people in these communities," Governor Quinn said. "The investments will enhance the Southland and help further what we already know - that the region is a great place to live, work and raise a family. In addition, investments in stormwater management will help control damaging rain water and urban flooding to improve the safety and efficiency in these communities for years to come."

The investments for most of the park improvement projects are part of $50 million available through the Parks and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) program. Projects eligible for the program include land acquisition, development, architectural planning, construction, rehabilitation and improvements. The PARC program may provide up to 75 percent of approved project costs.

The PARC program is funded by Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, which is supporting 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.

The stormwater management project grants are administered through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and are also part of Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program. They fund projects that control or reduce rain-related urban flooding.

The communities and projects are listed below.

Calumet City

Calumet Memorial Park District will receive $2,137,875 in PARC investments to expand the Sandridge Community Center on Oglesby Avenue. The project calls for the addition of more than 10,000 square feet of fitness and active recreation space which will provide dedicated space for group fitness, weight lifting and cardio exercise. The renovation also includes the addition of an elevated track over the existing gymnasium and a new fitness area. The total estimated project cost is $2,850,500.

Chicago - Ward 8

The City of Chicago will receive $2,979,000 in IEPA investments to enlarge sewers in the area in order to reduce basement flooding. One project will enlarge sewers along Ridgeland Avenue from 79th Street to South Chicago Avenue. The area benefitting from this project is roughly bounded by 79th Street to the north, East End Avenue to the west, South Chicago Avenue to the south and Constance Avenue to the east.

The second project includes a sewer enlargement along Drexel Avenue from 90th Street to 93rd Street. The area benefitting from this project is roughly bounded by 90th Street to the north, the railroad to the west, 93rd Street to the south and Ellis Avenue to the east.

"I appreciate the Governor's commitment to making our communities a better place to live," 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris said. "The northwest end of the ward will benefit enormously from improvements to the stormwater management systems, which will help protect homeowners from devastating water damage."

Dixmoor

Dixmoor will receive $1,125,000 in PARC investments to complete a recreation facility on Paulina Street. This includes interior and exterior rehabilitation including electrical, plumbing, climate control, landscaping and parking. The total estimated project cost is $1,250,000.

"On behalf of the Village President Dorothy Armstrong, Village Clerk Juanita Darden, Village Board of Trustees along with the community, we would like to thank Governor Quinn for recognizing the need to provide quality of life activities for our families, youth and seniors," Village of Dixmoor President, Dorothy Armstrong said. "Dixmoor elected officials especially appreciate the support of the State Legislators and Governor Quinn for their efforts to continually support the Village of Dixmoor."

Dolton

Dolton Park District will receive $2,083,311 in PARC investments to expand and renovate the Main Field House on Irving Avenue and E. 148th Street. The facility will expand from 3,000 to 9,000 square feet and be developed into a multi-use facility to increase recreational programs and activities. The total estimated cost is $2.5 million.

"It is a great day for the park district today. Once again this demonstrates the hard work that the Park District Board, Commissioners, employees and all the people that have contributed to make this happen," Dolton Mayor Riley Rogers said. "I would like to give special thanks to Mr. Kendall Parrot who has worked diligently to help this great park district and this community. I like to thank Governor Pat Quinn who has regularly come to this community to make sure that we are heard and protected. Governor Quinn has not only made sure that funds have been distributed to this community to assist with the education and the development of our children, he has also made sure that the quality of life that we share here in this village has become much improved."

Evergreen Park

The Village of Evergreen Park will receive a $500,000 investment to perform new work on the village's 50-Acre Park, including bicycle/ walking/jogging trails, playground equipment and a teaching garden for children with disabilities, and related green space improvements. The funds come through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and are part of Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program.

The Village will also receive a $200,000 investment to improve streets and sewers located within the village. The work will include removing deteriorated asphalt, installing patches and replacing storm inlets as needed. The funds come through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and are part of Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program.

"On behalf of our residents, I want to thank Governor Quinn," Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton said. "These investments in our infrastructure are just what the community needs right now."

Markham

Markham will receive $999,989 in PARC investments to construct a new 20,000-square-foot Indoor Track and Field/Gymnastic Facility at 162nd and Laflin. The facility will house a gymnasium for track and field, a gymnastics area, locker rooms, equipment storage and a concession area. The total project cost is $1.2 million.

"The families, children, and elected officials of the City of Markham greatly appreciate the Governor and the PARC program for the opportunity to build a state of the art facility that will enhance the future of our children," Markham Mayor David Webb, Jr. said.

Phoenix

Phoenix will receive $900,000 in PARC investments to construct a new 15,000-square-foot indoor field house/sports facility off East 151st Street at 3rd Avenue. The facility will include a walking track, exercise room, space for various indoor sports activities, locker rooms, restrooms, concessions and storage. The total estimated cost is $1 million.

"This is a dream come true for our community," Phoenix Mayor Terry R. Wells said. "The approval of this PARC grant will allow the Village of Phoenix to build a field house that will provide the much needed recreational component that our community has lacked for so long. Thanks to Governor Quinn and his staff for making this dream a reality."

Robbins

The Robbins Park District will receive a $135,000 investment to improve and expand its parks.

A playground will be installed, and surfacing and ADA accessibility work performed for $60,000. $75,000 will be used to demolish vacant property on two parcels of land obtained by the park district. The properties were obtained to expand a current park site and remove unsafe properties. The investment announced today comes through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and is part of Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program.