Building our Future for 2019

HOME IMPROVEMENT & CONTRACTORS GUIDE

BUILDING OUR

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• 2019 Edition • Published by Rock Valley Publishing •

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BUILDING OUR FUTURE

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BELOIT COLLEGE Building Our Future

BELOIT COLLEGE Building Our Future

The Blackhawk Generating Station is being converted into a new Student Center for Beloit College.

This architectural rendering shows what the exterior of the building will look like when finished.

The Powerhouse at Beloit College TO BE NEARLY COMPLETED THIS FALL

The Powerhouse at Beloit College repurposes the decommissioned Blackhawk Generating Station on the Rock River into a 120,000-square-foot student center in every sense of the phrase.

The Powerhouse will be a first-ofits-kind facility in the country—one that interlaces student life spaces with recreational facilities, further connects campus with the community, and preserves history while looking to the future.

When will the Powerhouse open?

As proclaimed by the banner hanging on Pleasant Street, the Powerhouse will open in Fall of 2019 (barring major unforeseen complications). This opening will include the student union portion of the building and the pool but not the field house or fourth-floor conference center. See the full timeline below: Building Open The following should be ready in midOctober.

Bridge from campus - 110ft, open air with roof near Aldrich Field, entering on the third floor of Powerhouse Student Union - Weissberg Auditorium: 164-seat, full A/V Basement lounge: free billiards, ping

pong, PacMan, video games Batting cages Outdoor rec gear checkout 24/7 vending machine convenience store Riverside conference room Study space Riverside lounge: soft seating, potential stage, pool viewing area Turbine hall: healthy eating cafe, gaspowered fireplace, lounge space galore Health & Wellness Center and Counseling Center Reservable yoga / dance studio Reservable student club space Mid-level rooftop deck Fitness floor: treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, ergs, some weights (heavy weights will be housed in the sports center), group fitness spaces Walk / Running Track - Three lanes, 175m, mondo surface Visible from the field house, turbine hall, tribune lounge, and is accessed through the fitness floor Pool - Eight-lane competition pool, 25yds, converts to 10 lane recreation swim; One and three meter diving boards; ADA Rampl Spectator seating Additional Area

The following should be ready in November-December.

Turf Field House - Practice facility for turf sports, 140’ X 120’; Only ACM / Midwest Conference school with indoor turf Rooftop Meeting Rooms - 7,000 sq. ft fourth-floor divisible meeting rooms; Rooftop deck Riverwalk The completion date of the Riverwalk is not yet set-in-stone. This element will wrap around the west side of the building, offering direct access to the river from the building and connecting two legs of the city’s bike/walk trail system.

The college has partnered with the city of Beloit to build the Riverwalk, requiring additional coordination, but it will likely be completed in mid-2020. More information will be provided as this part of the project progresses.

How is the Powerhouse project funded?

The Powerhouse is fully funded through tax credits and private donations. This means no tuition dollars have gone into construction and the project is creating no new debt. You’ve heard this before, but what does it actually mean?

Funding Source, Amount Board of Trustees $17,000,000 Donations from Alumni and Friends of the College $11,000,000 Federal Historic Tax Credits, State Historic Tax Credits, and Federal New Market Tax Credits $10,000,000 Total $38,000,000 Is the Powerhouse just for athletes?

Not at all! The Powerhouse is designed to be a space that facilitates the interaction of students who might not normally cross paths. There is something for everyone in the Powerhouse [see table above] and every student has a number of good reasons to enter the space -- practice, a meal, studying with a friend, studying alone, a club meeting, visiting the Health and Wellness Center, or attending one of the bajillion programs hosted in the space.

The plan is that breaking spaces and services out of their existing silos and relocating them under one roof will encourage students who enter the building for one reason to stay for another. Further, by encouraging students to branch beyond their familiar social circles, this space will facilitate connection between a wide array of student groups.

BELOIT COLLEGE Building Our Future

The Powerhouse Student Union will feature Weissberg Auditorium with 164-seats.

BELOIT COLLEGE Building Our Future

The facility has a new eight-lane swimming pool.

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TLC pre-leasing for new Machesney Park assisted living facility

By Bob Balgemann REPORTER

Town Living Community Center (TLC) is pre-leasing for the first phase of its new, 92-unit assisted living facility, on six acres just south of the former J.C. Penney Outlet store in the Machesney Town Center, 8702 N. Second St. The leasing office will be in the Outlet store that the village purchased several years ago. It is due to open the middle of this month. Anyone interested in information on a lease should call the TLC office at 815-242-2852, or just drop by the office.

This is a three-story, 70,000-square-foot facility offering studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. It is being built in two phases, the first one being 62 apartments and the second one being 30 apartments in an additional three-story wing.

The plan calls for the first phase to be substantially completed by this fall.

A construction camera has been installed, giving those who are interested the ability to see daily progress of the project.

The camera has a time-lapse feature, allowing viewers to see progress of the center from the beginning to the present, in a brief “movie clip.”

Just look at the company’s website, www.TLC-MP.LIFE. Marketing Director Karen Bentele said the ultimate expression of the project includes additional acreage for townhomes and, perhaps, a completely independent apartment building on the campus.

“We are also planning to include dementia care and indoor parking, to offer a full array of living possibilities and services for our senior community,” she said.

Staffing for the facility calls for three shifts of employees who are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We will have care for those who need care, which will including nursing, CNAs (certified nursing assistants), housekeeping, kitchen staff, maintenance and administration personnel,” Bentele said.

“We also will have a concierge on staff daily to assist guests and residents. We expect to begin accepting applications for employment mid-summer of 2019, although people may contact us now to submit a resume in advance.”

Locally owned TLC is locally owned and operated. It shares common ownership of the facility with PG Architecture Design-Build (PG) of Rockford. PG has been designing and building projects in the northern Illinois area since 1968. Providing full architectural and design-build services, PG specializes in commercial development and design-build projects, with a focus on healthcare facilities.

The inception of TLC Living Community began 10 years ago when the initial planning took place to build such a community in the Machesney Park area, Bentele explained. It originally was planned for a different location in Machesney

Byron Park District announces expansion, renovation plans for the Byron PE Center The Byron Park District is excited to announce an approximately $3.5 million expansion and renovation plan for the Byron PE Center. The Byron Park District utilizes the Byron PE Center to offer recreation facilities and programs to the community through an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Byron School District.

The plan consists of a new 10,000 square foot fitness center, new public entrance area, an expanded parking lot, additional space for the Tiger Den before/ after school program, two dance/aerobics studios and a new registration and staff office area.

The new layout will provide additional security to the school building by relocating the fitness center and closing the track and basketball courts during the school day beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.

The plan will be fully funded by the Byron Park District utilizing alternate bonds. The bonds will be repaid through the existing annual capital improvement fund and will not result in an increase to the District’s annual property tax levy.

The tentative timeline is to bid the project in 2019, with construction scheduled in the summer and fall of 2020. The Byron Park District hosted a public meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. at the Byron PE Center for residents to learn more about the project. For further information, please contact Executive Director, Paul Zepezauer at 815-234-6277 or pzepezauer@byronparks.org

See ASSISTED LIVING, Page 9

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Rock River West Group announces downtown casino location at the historic waterpower district in Rockford

SUBMITTED PHOTO Building Our Future

Window World gives back

Window World of Rockford’s work goes farther than providing exterior home improvement. Their products alone aren’t what make them unique; much of Window World’s story is linked to their involvement beyond home improvement. They strive to bring positive change to communities through their affiliation with non-profit entities. In 2008, Window World became a partner of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, one of the world’s leading research and treatment centers for pediatric cancer and other childhood diseases. Window World of Rockford continues to show their endless support by spreading awareness and making personal donations throughout the years. Their dedication to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® continued as Window World of Rockford started the new year off by making a generous donation in early February. With this donation the Window World team earned themselves the ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ apparel for being a St. Jude Partner In Hope, helping spread awareness for this particular cause.

City of Rockford taking casino proposals On June 5, 2019, the Illinois Senate passed new gaming legislation. The bill provides for a single license for a casino within the City of Rockford. The license will awarded by the Illinois Gaming Board, using an open and competitive bid process.

By law, all application(s) for the Rockford license must be filed with the Gaming Board within 120 days of the Bill’s signing.

In general and due to the specifics in the legislation, the process will move quickly and deliberately with deadlines for action that already are approaching rapidly. Mayor Tom McNamara and the City Council have committed to an open and transparent process that will allow for community input.

The City has hired Attorney Bobbie Holzwarth, an experienced partner from HolmstromKennedyPC in Rockford, to serve as Counsel to the City team in this process. Regular communication updates will be part of that process.

The basics: Important dates June 28: Official Signing of Casino Bill July 1: Local News Conference on Gaming Bill July 3: City issues Request for Proposals (RFP) August 9: Last day for interested Proposers to submit written questions August 16: Responses to questions distributed via addendum and on the City’s website August 30: RFP Responses Due by 2 p.m.

September 1- September 13: City follow-up questions to Proposers, evaluation September 16-23: Evaluation Team Submits Recommendations to City Council

September 23: Public Hearing September 24: Special Zoning Board of Appeals (if needed) No sooner than 7 days after hearing: City Council certifies proposal(s) October 25-26 (No later than 120 days after Public Act 101-0031 enacted): Application(s) filed with Illinois Gaming Board

On July 30, the Rock River West Casino Group, a coalition of community advocates for an urban Rockford casino, along with the Rockford Aquarium, announced the location in downtown Rockford.

The proposed Casino will be located at the gateway to downtown and adjacent to the anticipated train station and Amerock Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention center on the South Main corridor.

The site provides easy visitor access with just a 5-minute drive from the US bypass 20, 10 minutes from the Chicago Rockford International Airport, and only 10 minutes from I-90 with easy on and off access thanks to the new bypass 20 entrance and exit ramps currently under construction.

The Rock River West Casino Group wants to enhance the vibrant atmosphere of our downtown at the Waterpower District.

“This new Entertainment District will enrich our community while supporting the entire downtown destination,” said Stacy Bernardi, Rock River West Advocacy Group.

“We envision that this project location can definitively grow more entertainment events for the BMO Harris Bank Center, Coronado Theater and Davis Park with existing and added restaurants, existing and new retail, and new entertainment attractions in and around the South Main Corridor and the overall River District.”

The downtown urban Casino operator can leverage the nearly $589 million in recent downtown and near downtown public and private community investments already underway.

“The presence of the Rockford Aquarium in the Rockford Main Street corridor along the Waterfront will be a further catalyst for downtown development and an enhancement to other museums and new entertainment tourist attractions,” states Gayle Marzorati, Board President of the

Rockford Aquarium.

“We envision a world-class Aquarium which will create a vibrant and exciting place where people can spend quality family time while learning about the oceans of the world, our river and important aquatic-related issues”, adds, Terry Reid, Board Member Advocate, for the Rockford Aquarium The ROCK RIVER WEST CASINO, as an urban location, can capitalize on Rockford’s rich history and unique assets.

They can be incorporated into the project’s design, downtown branding, The Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s destination marketing, and by partnering with other Entertainment attractions through RAVE- the Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority which has been one of the keys to a rejuvenated downtown Rockford.

“The Aquarium together with this urban casino will play a vital role as an economic stimulus which will help the City of Rockford in its completion of the plan to develop downtown and South Main Street Corridor,” states Victory Bell of the Rock River West Advocacy Group.

“The greatest concentration for underemployed and unemployed is on the west side, there is a willing and ready workforce within walking distance. The casino and hotel once completed is expected to employ between 600 to 1,000 people, along with the Aquarium employing of 120 to 200 full and part time employees.

“With the anticipated train station approved in the state capital plan, Rail Transit provides easy connections to the Greater Chicago market delivering tourist through Founders Landing and entry of THE WATERPOWER DISTRICT and downtown,” Rudy Valdez, Urban Casino advocate.

Tax revenue According to the bill, various taxes and fees generated from the casino will be split: 70 percent to the City of Rockford 20 percent to Winnebago County 5 percent to the City of Loves Park and 5 percent to the Village of Machesney Park.

Application For an application to be considered by the Gaming Board, the City Council must adopt a resolution memorializing the details of the proposal and certifying: The applicant has negotiated in good faith.

The City and the applicant have mutually agreed upon a temporary location.

The City and the applicant have mutually agreed upon a permanent location.

The City and the applicant have mutually agreed upon the percentage of revenues that will be shared.

The City and the applicant have mutually agreed upon zoning, licensing, public health, and other issues within the City’s jurisdiction.

The City Council has adopted a resolution or ordinance in support of the casino.

See CASINO PROPOSALS, Page 9

Hard Rock submits proposal to Rockford

SUBMITTED PHOTO Building Our Future

The first announced proposal to build a casino in Rockford came from Hard Rock International. Recently Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen hosted a news event at the former site of the Clock Tower Resort. This property is the proposed location for the Hard Rock Casino Rockford. Hard Rock introduced the casino plan it will submit to the Rockford City Council before the deadline Aug 16. The Hard Rock plan includes a casino, a music and entertainment venue, restaurants, retail stores and a hotel. The first phase of construction is estimated to take 12-14 months to complete.

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Embassy Suites by Hilton to open in downtown Rockford next April Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford and the Rockford Conference Center is a first class, all-suites hotel and conference center, located in downtown Rockford, along the Rock River. The hotel will open on April 1, 2020.

All guests begin the day with a complimentary, warm, cooked-to-order full breakfast and a complimentary newspaper.

Each evening you can unwind with our complimentary cocktails at our Manager’s reception in the lounge and take advantage of our large two room suites featuring a refrigerator, microwave, wet bar, iron, ironing boards, and personal coffee maker.

Several rooms offer floor to ceiling windows with awesome views of downtown.

The hotel will offer an industrial chic feel and look. Guests will be pleased with our clean, comfortable and well-appointed guestrooms featuring Hilton’s new bedding package ‘Suite Dreams’ by Serta.

Business travelers will find that this hotel has all the facilities and amenities that are required to be productive while traveling, including complimentary Wireless Internet Access in our public areas.

We also offer a top notch game room, full service spa, indoor pool and hot tub as well as complimentary parking. The conference center offers enough space for a group event from 5 to 500 people, in one setting.

The hotel is in downtown Rockford and is within a short walk to additional restaurants, shops, coffee shops and pubs.

The hotel is the closest full service hotel to the Chicago/Rockford International Airport and is within minutes of the Rockford City market and a short drive to the Cherryvale Mall.

Many breweries and wineries are located within a short drive. Enjoy the Coronado Performing Arts Center, BMO Harris Bank Center - home of the Rockford Ice Hogs, the UW Sports Factory and the Standard on State - Event venue - all within walking distance. The hotel will open on April 1, 2020 - reservations are being taken for group reservations for April 1, 2020 and beyond.

Details / Other Expenses Check In: 3 p.m.

Check Out: 11 a.m.

Year of Last Renovation: 2019 Floors: 12 Rooms: 160 Corridors: All Rooms Have Interior Hallways Non Smoking Rooms: 160 Handicap Rooms: 10 Rooms with 1 Bed: 85 Rooms with 2 Beds: 75 Suites: 12 Room Windows: Windows Don’t Open Cleaning Frequency: Daily Meeting Rooms: 11 View Spaces Meeting Space: 23500 sq. feet Banquet Space: Holds 659 people

Dist. to Food/Bars:On-site Dist. to 24hr Restaurant: 2.0 Mi Dist. to Nearest Gym: On-site Lounge/Bar Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight FEMA Approved: Yes Pool Info: Indoor Heated Pool and Hot Tub - available 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ownership: Gorman & Company Policies/Expenses Cancellation: Guest room cancellation must occur within 48 hours of arrival in order to avoid a charge of one nights room and tax.

Attrition will be in place for groups holding meeting space.

Nightly Parking: 0 Typical Group Deposit: 15% Total Taxes: 17.00% Total Misc Fees: $0.00 USD (mandatory resort fees/taxes) Food and Beverage Tax: 9.25% Amenities / Features Pet Friendly? Sorry, pets are not allowed. * Air conditioning * ATM * Baggage storage facilities * Bus parking * Car rental * Complimentary breakfast * Conference facilities * Credit card accepted: American Express * Credit card accepted: Discover * Credit card accepted: JCB * Dinner available * Electronic key card * Elevator * Express Check-Out * Facilities for the disabled * Fax available * Fitness and health center * Free local calls * Games room * Hairdryer available * Handicap accessible * Central heating * Internet - wireless * Ironing facilities * Laundry facilities * Licensed bar * Microwave in room * Office or business center * Private bathroom in room * Quiet location * Refrigerator * Restaurant * Safe in rooms * Sauna * Self controlled heating/cooling system * Shop * Shower * Spa * Swimming pool - indoor * Tea and coffee making facilities * Telephone in all rooms * Telephone - Free local calls * Television * TV - Free Cable

The Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel’s lobby.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Building Our Future

This architectural rendering shows what the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel in downtown Rockford will look like when construction is finished.

* TV Channel: HBO * TV Channel: Cinemax * TV Channel: Starz * TV Channel: Weather Channel * TV Channel: ESPN * TV Channel: NFL Network * TV Channel: Fox Sports * TV Channel: Disney Channel * TV Channel: Nickelodeon * Terrace Airport & Shuttle Information Rockford International Airport - 20 minutesDane County Regional Airport Madison, WI - 75 milesO’ Hare International Airport - Chicago, IL - 75 miles Local Shuttle Info: Lyft, Uber, Airport

Shuttle for Rockford International$15 Breakfast Information Embassy Suite’s - made to order breakfast is complimentary - featuring scrambled eggs, hot and cold cereal, omelettes, bacon and sausage, pancakes, potatoes, pastries, coffee, hash browns, whole and sliced fruit, waffles, etc Parking Info Parking is complimentary - adjacent to the property.

Internet / WiFI Wi-Fi Internet is complimentary to Hilton Honors members and is complimentary in the lobby of the hotel.

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• Assisted living (Continued from page 4)

SUBMITTED PHOTO Building Our Future

Pictured at the ground breaking event in May, Senator Dave Syverson; Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL16th District); Dan Fogarty, Becknell; Mayor Greg Jury; Ryan Fitzgerald, Spring Creek Development Group; Drew Phillips, Siffron; Robb Northrop, Siffron; Karen Walsh, CBRE; Nathan Bryant, Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

Siffron breaks ground on $20M facility Our region has another reason to celebrate! Siffron broke ground on its new facility in Loves Park on May 13, 2019.

The new distribution and warehouse space will result in an estimated $20M initial investment by the organization into the region and 319,000 sqft of new space added to the market with the option to increase that footprint to 500,000 sqft of space.

“We love to see re-investment in the region by companies that have established

businesses and supply chains. This type of commitment to both employees and the region helps to increase the economic well-being of our region,” states Nathan Bryant, president & CEO of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

Founded in 2017, Siffron was formed by joining together two industry leaders: Southern Imperial and FFR Merchandising. Retailers and brand manufacturers look to Siffron to create and supply solutions to current retail

challenges.

This includes everything from increasing merchandising space, product turns, and brand recognition to reducing theft, spoilage, and labor costs. Siffron’s goal is to identify and implement the perfect solution to help our customers increase sales and profit margins. Our global footprint, coupled with local partner response times, allows us to work as a seamless extension of your operations.

Let C&H kitchen cabinet gallery transform your kitchen Why settle for a mundane, outdated kitchen when you can have a magnificent one? C&H, formerly Creative Tile, offers you a ONE-STOP SHOP not only new kitchen cabinets, but for baths and all other types of remodeling, and even room additions and flooring.

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Bathroom remodeling The possibilities for bathroom remodeling in the Rockford area are almost limitless and include relaxing whirlpool bathtubs or soaking tubs, pedestal sinks, his and hers vanities, marble countertops, luxurious shower enclosures and more - all set admidst coordinated tiles in soothing colors and patterns. C&H is also a Ronbow bath products dealer. Ronbow offers a unique line of top quality bathroom

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Park. But availability of six aces on the property once occupied by the Machesney Park Mall created the new location “and helped make our vision for a convenient, centrally located senior lifestyle community become a reality,” she said.

She said TLC conducted focus group sessions with local seniors and spent years of research on creating “a community and facility that will not only provide an excellent living environment, but will have a vitality with an abundance of amenities and community spaces for residents.”

Some of the amenities include a bistro; large, open dining and community space with off-menu dining; hair salon; media/movie room with big screen viewing; exercise/ physical therapy room; library and computer center; craft room; game room; outdoor dining; walking paths; raised garden beds; and multiple other community spaces.

What evolved is 100 percent local ownership; local financing; local contractors; and local staff, she said.

“We are proud to be part of the Machesney Park Town Center transformation to a mixeduse area and feel that the location of the TLC couldn’t be better,” Bentele said. “The village of Machesney Park has been great to work with in making the project become a reality and we look forward to the future of our community.”

• Casino proposals

(Continued from page 5)

RFP process The City’s process will be run much like its standard Request for Proposals (RFP) process. On July 3, the City issued an RFP outlining requirements and specifications for a casino. City staff will review responses and make recommendations to the Council of which proposal(s) they think should be certified. A public hearing will be conducted on the factors to be certified by the City, before the Council votes. The legislation allows the City to certify more than one applicant to the Gaming Board. Before the Gaming Board issues a license for the Rockford casino, an impact study must be completed to determine what location in the City will provide the greater impact to the region, including the creation of jobs and the generation of tax revenue.

Consultants With the gaming expansion bill mandating a quick 120-day turnaround for approved cities, including Rockford, to seek, score, negotiate and approve proposals, the City of Rockford hired two additional consulting firms to help navigate staff and council through the process.

Union Gaming Analytics, LLC – Union Gaming will provide market analysis and support services related to the expansion of gaming and the upcoming casino request for proposals. They will also assist the City as it evaluates casino proposals and negotiates with applicants.

Union Gaming is made up of wellseasoned industry professionals that are singularly focused on the global gaming industry with a portfolio of diverse work, including engagements related to the expansion of gaming. They have represented hundreds of private and public sector clients around the globe and in the United States, including in Illinois and its neighboring states over the last ten years.

Union Gaming is knowledgeable of the unique dynamics present in the region and are ready to share its views on how gaming expansion impacts the marketplace.

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Illinois Tollway awards $4.5 million in contracts for construction services in August More than $611 million approved in 2019 as part of the eighth year of the Move Illinois capital program The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors approved three new construction contracts totaling $4.5 million at its August meeting for work to extend the life of systemwide roadways and provide safe and convenient travel for Tollway customers.

More than $611 million in construction and professional engineering services contracts have been approved by the Tollway Board in 2019, as part of the eighth year of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.

“The Illinois Tollway promotes safety of both drivers and workers as we deliver a variety of roadway improvements as part of the Move Illinois Program,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez.

“These types of repairs are necessary to keep the Tollway in good condition for years to come.”

To date, more than $6.9 billion has been invested by the Illinois Tollway since the Move Illinois Program began in 2012, with nearly $2 billion of that total committed to small, diverse and veteran-owned firms. In addition, the capital program has created or sustained an estimated 71,750 total jobs as of July 2019.

The contracts approved today include five subcontractors that are certified as disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms and one subcontractor that is a certified veteranowned firm. Commitments for D/M/WBE participation range from 24 percent to 31 percent per contract and commitments for veteran participation are three percent per contract.

Construction contracts awarded include: • A $2.1 million contract to K-Five Construction Corp., Westmont, Ill., for intermittent pavement repairs on the TriState Tollway (I-294) and Illinois Route 390 Tollway.

• A $1.9 million contract to AC

Pavement Striping Company, Elgin, Ill., for systemwide pavement marking work.

• A $440,520 contract to Curran Contracting Company, Crystal Lake, Ill., for pavement repairs and resurfacing on the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90).

Construction contracts for Illinois Tollway projects are competitively bid under the rules of the Illinois Procurement Code. As part of the process, contractors’ bid submissions for construction work advertised by the Tollway are opened and read aloud during public bid opening meetings, which are also broadcast live on the Tollway’s website. Following an agency review process, the lowest, responsible and responsive bid is presented to the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors for review and approval.

The Illinois Tollway provides detailed information about current Tollway construction and professional engineering services contracts through the Construction Contract Tracker on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.

Contractors and consultants can also access resources online to help them learn about how to do business with the Tollway, including construction bid-letting schedules, professional service bulletins, manuals and construction bid calendars. These resources can be found in the “Doing Business” section of the Tollway’s website.

About Move Illinois The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 120,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first seven years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as opening a new interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and planning for emerging projects.

Rockford’s renovated bus terminal improves service to city On Monday, Feb. 11 Rockford Mass Transit unlocked the doors and welcomed the public into the newly renovated Downtown Transfer Center. The building’s opening marks the substantial completion of Phase I of the two-phased renovation project. Phase II, which involves the redesign of the outside bus berthing and customer waiting area will continue into the spring with an estimated completion date of May 2019.

The renovated Transfer Center is a much brighter and larger facility than what previously occupied the space thus making for a more pleasant customer experience. As a result of the larger footprint, customers with wheelchairs or other mobility devices will find it easier to navigate through or stop and wait in the facility.

RMTD has also added enhanced Information System Displays in key locations in the building. Charging stations have been added and are conveniently located for passenger use. A family restroom is also a new addition for families in transit with small children. RMTD staff will also benefit from the newly installed touchscreen computer system which will allow for a quicker and more efficient bus dispatch.

The safety and security of our riders is of utmost importance to RMTD, therefore improved security cameras have been added throughout the building and a designated security office will enhance security’s presence in the building and on the grounds.

With the new facility opening and the drive work continuing at the north end of the property, passengers will now be asked to board and alight their respective buses on W. State Street rather than Mulberry

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Rockford Structures discusses factors to consider for new commercial construction additions When starting a business, the hope is always to expand to the point where an operation requires more employees, larger office spaces, and perhaps even extra locations. Seeing this kind of success is exciting, but it also can be stressful because expansion sometimes requires investing in commercial construction additions to a building.

Here at Rockford Structures, we specialize in many different types of commercial construction in Rockford, but we have the means and professional wherewithal to handle any additions that your business may require, eliminating your stress and ensuring your business grows both figuratively and literally.

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The exterior of the newly remodeled Rockford Mass Transit’s downtown depot

Street. Buses heading East bound will board from the South side of West State and West bound buses will board from the North side of West State. West State will be closed to through traffic between Court Street and Winnebago Street until the completion of Phase II. Mulberry Street, between Court and Winnebago, which was previously closed, will now be open to through traffic.

The opening of the newly renovated facility represents substantial completion of Phase I. Phase II, which is ongoing, will

see the berthing areas and the surrounding drive areas reconfigured into a saw tooth configuration. A saw tooth design enables buses to pull in and out without having to backup.

This pattern insures a more efficient and safer dispatch. With the completion of Phase II customers can also expect improved outside lighting, additional and improved security cameras, wayfinding signage and a more accessible boarding areas with canopies for protection against the elements

Reasons a business may require an addition There are a few reasons a business may need to give careful consideration to investing in a building addition.

These include: Employee growth An office that may have been appropriate for a staff of ten people may feel cramped once the payroll has extended to 15 or 20 people. While moving offices always is an option in these instances, there also are ways to expand an existing building to meet a business’s exact needs while also accommodating employee growth.

More space for product Another way that a business can expand is in its need to stock more inventory. With more customers comes increased inventory, and all those extra products need a place to be stored while waiting to be shipped and/or delivered to customers. If your current building can’t accommodate the boost in inventory, Rockford Structures can help you plan a commercial addition to your primary building.

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The new waiting area inside the RMTD depot.

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The ticketing and information desk is located inside.

Bricks from New Milford Elementary available ​Bricks from New Milford Elementary School were available to the public starting Monday, Aug. 26. A limited number of bricks will be in a pile outside the construction fence, first come first served.

Demolition of the school, 2128 New Milford School Road, is expected to begin Wednesday, Aug. 21. The school has been vacant since the end of the 2010-11 school year, and it was temporarily used for storage.

The third, fourth, and fifth-grade school consolidated with Froberg Elementary School, which now serves students in kindergarten through fifth grades.

The Rockford School Board and Rockford Park District agreed to a land swap in February 2017 under an intergovernmental agreement. In the deal, RPS 205 officials agreed to transfer land from White Swan, Thompson and New Milford elementary schools to the Park District for neighborhood recreational opportunities.

Expansion into new services Perhaps your business started as one thing but has since pivoted into something new or has added services that simply require a different or larger type of workspace. Adding to and retooling existing spaces are great ways to make sure the new services fit into the physical space in which you work.

Other considerations for commercial additions When expanding your building, it’s also important to pay heed to a few important details: Permitting The state of Illinois and the city of Rockford both require specific permits for commercial additions, and hiring professionals like Rockford Structures ensures that everything is done by the book and all the proper permits are in place.

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BUILDING OUR FUTURE

2019

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