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I � <br /> ECONOMIC AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MEMO <br /> #01-40 � <br /> April 30, 2001 II <br /> TO: Honorable Mayor Howley and City Council I' <br /> FROM: Steve G City Manager <br /> A. J. Krie Economic and Urban Development Departme <br /> Steven J. V Steenhuyse, Planning Manag '� <br /> � <br /> SUBJECT: Illinois Tomorrow Grant-Decatur Urban Corridars Study � <br /> SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to sign the contract with <br /> the State of Illinois for reimbursement of grant funds far the Decatur Urban Corridors Study. ' <br /> BACKGROUND: In October of 2000, the Planning Division applied for a grant from the new <br /> Illinois Tomorrow program. This program is funded from State and Federal transportation funds � <br />' and is intended to help communities plan far future transportation needs and impacts. The City <br /> received a grant from the program in the amount of$90,000,to be matched with$10,000 from I <br /> the City, for a total of$100,000. These funds will be used to hire a consultant to study the U.S. I <br /> 36 and Business U.S. 51 corridors through Decatur. The consultant will study existing land uses <br /> and traffic patterns along the corridors and make recommendations to the City regarding zoning, <br /> the use of overlay districts, and other tools to make the corridors more traffic-efficient and more <br /> aesthetically pleasing. The consultant will also create a streetscape plan for the section of West <br /> Main Street between downtown and Fairview Avenue. This project was anticipated in the Olde <br /> Towne Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing Plan. The streetscape plan is anticipated to <br /> include such elements as historic lighting and landscaping to better tie the downtown area to the <br /> historic west side neighborhood and Millikin University. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTION: Staff is not aware of any objections. <br /> INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: Upon State execution of the contract, the Planning <br /> Division will issue a Request for Proposals for a qualified consultant to complete this study. <br /> Staff intends to utilize the services of a consultant with a proven track record of creating <br /> user-friendly corridor plans that have been successfully implemented. <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Please contact Planning Manager Steven J. Van Steenhuyse at <br /> 424-2790. <br /> BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: Staff intends to have a consultant hired by the end of <br /> June. The project is expected to take six to eight months. The $10,000 in matching funds is <br />