Fall 2023 Access Point

A MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR

As your Mayor, it brings me joy to share some truly exciting news about developments taking place right here in our wonderful city.

Take a look at the map on page three of this issue of Access Point and you’ll see just a small sample of some of the construction activity happening around town. We’ve also revitalized our Business Assistance Grants program to support existing businesses in our community and entice new businesses to settle in Des Plaines. Check out page four for more specifics and to find out if your business is eligible.

But that's not all – our dedication to public safety and service is unwavering.

•Our Fire Department has acquired new cutting-edge equipment that will enhance our emergency response capabilities. A brand-new

•Ambulance 61, one of our busiest, was upgraded

•Our Police Station is undergoing a comprehensive

These investments ensure that our police officers, firefighters and paramedics have the tools they need to swiftly and effectively address any situation. Your safety is our top priority and these changes strengthen our emergency services.

All of these initiatives align with the strategic goals set forth by our City Council. Our collective vision of Re-Imagined Growth and Municipal Excellence is becoming a reality with each project we undertake. These are just some of the many examples of our dedication to progress, innovation, and a pursuit of excellence for our neighbors. To learn more about our Strategic Plan, visit desplaines.org/strategicplan.

I am deeply grateful for your trust and involvement as we continue to grow and improve our community. I encourage you to stay informed to see all the great things we have in store. You can sign up for email updates at desplaines.org/mycity and see the latest news on our City’s website or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofdesplaines.

Together, we are shaping a brighter, more promising tomorrow for Des Plaines.

Mayor Andrew Goczkowski

CITY SNAPSHOTS

Financial Reporting Achievements MAY

Association (GFOA) has recognized the City of Des Plaines for its achievements in financial reporting. GFOA recognizes governments that meet specific standards for presentation, understandability, creativity and reader appeal.

The City has received all three GFOA awards for its 2021 reporting, including the Popular Annual Financial Report, Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award—garnering the distinguished Triple Crown medallion.

Congratulations to our Finance team for their hard work in achieving this goal!

Korean War Memorial

The American Legion Post 36 hosted a traveling

Korean War Memorial at the end of June. Often referred to as the “Forgotten War” due to its placement between World War II and the Vietnam War, this memorial brings attention to this significant conflict. We were honored to play a small

role in bringing this memorial to our community and are grateful to the American Legion for honoring our heroes and educating the community of the lasting impact of war on individuals, families, and nations.

Community Fireworks were hosted at Oakton

College on July 2 to kick off the Fourth of July celebrations. Families picnicked, played games, and danced to the DJ before the fireworks display illuminated the sky. Two days later, the celebrations continued with the Independence Day Parade down Center St. led by The Garden Club, this year’s Grand Marshal. The theme of, “Together We Shine,” was evident through the sense of community from participants and spectators alike.

transportation. Pace Pulse provides connections to major destinations and links to other bus routes and transit services. Pulse offers improved reliability due to new technology like Transit Signal Priority, enhanced stations with modern passenger amenities like heated shelters, real-time signage and level boarding for faster service. Des Plaines is home to multiple stops along the Pulse Dempster line that will be fully operational later this year.

Independence Day JULY

Pace Pulse Ribbon Cutting

WHAT’S BEING BUILT IN DES PLAINES?

Remaking of Mannheim-Pratt by GW Properties: Redevelopment of this area will breathe new life into a key intersection in our airport corridor. On the southeast corner, this commercial development will house three new restaurant tenants, including Outback Steakhouse, First Watch, and Five Guys. On the northeast corner, demolition of the former Café La Cave is occurring to prepare the site for three additional restaurants: Raising Cane’s, Cava Mediterranean Grill, and Guzman Y Gomez.

1353-1361 Lee St. (in front of Aldi): This site will include a 5,000-square-foot Sherwin Williams paint store and a Chipotle, which is estimated to break ground in late 2023 and be open sometime in 2024.

1418 Miner St. Police Station Addition:

Construction of an addition between City Hall and the Police Station will form a common entry, lobby, and reception area for both buildings. Also scheduled, is the construction of a two-story 20,000-square-foot addition to the existing Police Station. Selective areas of interior renovation are also planned with the anticipated completion date of December 2024.

1050 E. Oakton St. (Halston Market by M/I Homes): This townhome development includes 125 units on the site of the former Grazie restaurant. The buildings are currently in various stages of construction, but occupancies are being granted for the first residents of the completed buildings.

3001 Mannheim Rd. (Holiday Inn): Cilantro Taco/Ostras Oysters is building out a joint restaurant space attached to the hotel within the Orchards at O’Hare development at the northeast corner of Higgins Rd. and Mannheim Rd.

Water Service Line Identification

As part of a state and federal law, the City is required to develop and implement a water service line material inventory and replacement plan. We're asking residents to test their pipes to identify the material of the pipe serving homes or businesses. Go to desplaines.org/pipesurvey to learn

how to identify and report the material of your pipes. Need help? Call Public Works at 847-391-5464.

Revamped Business Assistance Grants Program

Our businesses are a crucial part of our community, contributing significantly to job creation, innovation, and overall economic growth. By supporting our businesses, the City stimulates economic activity, attracts investments, and fosters a thriving business ecosystem.

Recently, the City Council approved changes to our Business Assistance Grants program to broaden the eligible projects and put these funds into even more widespread and effective use.

This revamped program aims to provide:

•Retention and Expansion: Supporting the growth and retention of existing businesses to ensure Des Plaines remains a thriving commercial hub.

•Commercial Property Enhancement: Enriching our city's commercial properties by attracting vibrant businesses.

•New Business Attraction: Luring new enterprises to establish roots in Des Plaines, improving our community.

Filling in Regulatory Floodplains

If your property is located within FEMA’s regulatory floodplain, there are special restrictions in those areas regarding fill material. Always check with the City’s Community and Economic Development Department before building, altering, regrading, or placing fill on your property. Call 847-391-5390 to report broken silt fences: they help keep our streams clean. Outdoor work needing a permit includes driveways, decks, sheds, raised gardens, regrading, fences, and patios. Go to desplaines.org/permits to learn about permits, guidelines, and requirements.

The revamped Business Assistance Grants program introduces two district grant categories:

•BOOST Grants: These grants offer a maximum award of $10,000 and are swiftly approved by the CED Department, designed to provide a boost to your business ambitions.

“BOOST” (Awarded by Staff): $10,000 or less

Business Assistance Grants Program

“GROWTH” (Awarded by City Council): More than $10,000

•GROWTH Grants: Tailored for larger-scale projects, GROWTH Grants exceed $10,000 with no upper limit. City Council approval is required after comprehensive assessment by the CED Department. Priority will be given to initiatives aligning with the Council's five-year strategic plan: a focus on creating captivating entertainment, shopping, and dining destinations. The Council's grant priorities will be periodically reviewed and fine-tuned during the Fiscal Year budgeting process, ensuring alignment with evolving community needs.

An essential feature of the Business Assistance Grants program is its reimbursement structure. After successful project completion, the City will reimburse 50% of the total eligible project cost, signifying our shared commitment to your business success.

For more information, visit desplaines.org/assistbusinesses,or contact Emily Shaw in the Community and Economic Development Department at 847-391-6961.

Events in Des Plaines

There’s nothing quite like summer in the city! The City of Des Plaines welcomed back community favorite events this summer like Taste of Des Plaines, Community Fireworks and the Independence Day Parade. In addition, the City introduced the brand-new event series, Food Truck Round Up, and they have been a resounding success. Neighbors gathered at various locations in Des Plaines in May, August and September to enjoy a variety of food trucks, live music and kids’ activities. We’re excited to continue to host these community block parties in 2024!

Downtown Des Plaines was the place to be on Father’s Day weekend. The annual Taste of Des Plaines festival welcomed thousands of people who enjoyed a meal and the beautiful summer weather. Ten food vendors served unique menu items from tents and trucks; 45 exhibitors and sponsors lined the street; and nine bands rocked the Main Stage. Special thanks to Rivers Casino, Lakeshore Beverage and Asbury Court for sponsoring our Main and World Stage entertainment!

As summer turns into fall, we’re looking forward to our future events. Next on the calendar is the first-ever Harvest Hoot on Saturday, Oct. 14, from Noon-4 p.m. at Oakton College. This outdoor event will have an inflatable corn maze, live entertainment, food trucks, a harvest artisan market and much more. It is sure to be fun for the whole family!

Winter will be here before we know it. Save the date for the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Metropolitan Square on Friday, Dec. 1. To learn more about upcoming City events, please visit desplaines.org/events.

Thanks for joining us this summer, Des Plaines. We’ll trade our flip-flops for cardigans and see you this autumn!

Ambulance 61 & Tower 61: Enhancing Emergency Response Scam Alert

We're thrilled to introduce Ambulance 61 and Tower 61 –the latest additions to our fire department, aligning with our strategic goal of achieving Municipal Excellence. These vehicles will work from Station 61 and will ensure that our emergency response remains efficient.

The Des Plaines Police have seen an increase in scam attempts. Common fraud/scam examples include:

•Phone calls or emails indicating that you have won the lottery, or a prize, and you need to send money for the taxes before you can receive the item.

•Fraudulent emergency situations in which the caller states a close family member has been arrested in a foreign country, and you need to wire them money immediately if you want your family member released.

•Fraudulent emails or phone calls stating you owe taxes to the IRS, and that you need to send money to clear your name, or you will be arrested.

Tower 61 is a big step forward in firefighting. It's the successor to our 2007 Pierce Dash 100' Tower Ladder and can reach up to 100' high. The real game-changer is the state-of-the-art technology, characterized by an accelerated aerial ladder deployment. This helps our crews reach elevated areas faster, strengthening our ability to respond effectively to emergencies. Plus, the new Tower is designed inside to keep our tools organized and easily accessible for our firefighters.

Ambulance 61 is all about advanced medical care. It's not just a replacement; this Ford Ambulance has a special “liquid spring” suspension system that provides a smooth ride for patients during critical moments. Ambulance 61 is usually our busiest unit, and will continue to provide fast and high-quality medical assistance.

Our commitment to keeping our community safe remains. We'll have the same number of staff to respond quickly and provide the best service. Your safety is always our top priority.

•Agreements to purchase items where you are told that you will receive a higher than agreed upon check/amount if you send a lesser amount of money initially.

Should you experience any of these fraud attempts, or other similar scams, please contact DPPD.

The Hot Seat

A little friendly competition goes a long way when Des Plaines Police and Des Plaines Fire compete in our spicy food challenge. Watch Officer Kozlowski and Lt. Hoffman face off in the Hot Seat!

Leaf Collection

The City of Des Plaines offers multiple ways to dispose of leaves each Fall. Take advantage of these options:

Weekly Bagged Leaf Collection

Drop off at Public Works Facility

City's Bulk Curbside Collection

Visit desplaines.org/leafcollection for details and pick up dates for your zones.

Halloween Information

The City of Des Plaines does not have designated hours for trick-or-treating on Oct. 31. However, we encourage parents to be aware of the hazards that exist after sunset. If children are trick-or-treating at dusk or after dark, glow sticks and flashlights will enhance their visibility. Drivers should exercise caution at all times, but special attention should be given when driving near schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods on Halloween. Those homes interested in welcoming trick-or-treating are asked to turn on porch or outdoor lights. Those who are not interested are asked to keep outdoor lights off.