On September 25, 2006, the Village of Western Springs established a sidewalk policy that will guide the Village and residents in the installation of new sidewalks and also provide a funding mechanism. The information below will help residents understand the process for installation of sidewalks where none exist:

• A show of support for the installation of sidewalks on a block is the first step. This is done by submitting a petition from residents requesting the installation of a sidewalk in a certain localized area within the Village.
• If there is support, the process for the creation of a Special Service Area (SSA) will begin. The process begins with the Village sending a survey to the owners of record within a proposed project area. This survey will include estimated project costs and a projection of how much would be allocated to each resident. If at least 50 percent of the responding owners of record within the proposed area demonstrate support for the sidewalk installation project, the Village Board will create the SSA. The establishment of a SSA will be done only after the Village Board finds that it is in the public interest to (a) construct the proposed project and (b) fund it under the SSA process.
• The Village assists the property owners with the funding of the sidewalk installation by contributing a 30 percent public share of the total cost of the sidewalk installation, subject to annual budgetary and grant funding constraints. The Village property owners included within the project area shall contribute a 70 percent private share of the total cost of the sidewalk installation.
• The entire SSA process usually takes 9–12 months from the time the first petition is received to the completion of construction.

The Village intends to allocate approximately $1.5 million in Federal Transportation Grant funds for sidewalk installation. Once those funds are depleted, future sidewalk construction will be subject to availability of funds.

Implementation of the new policy will not begin until the Village receives authorization to expend the federal grant funds. Authorization is expected in late 2007.

For more information, please contact William Nelson, Director of Municipal Services, at 246-1800, Ext. 205, or wnelson@wsprings.com.