The Aurora City Council will vote Tuesday on an addendum to the contract with HR Green, Inc. for roadwork on Farnsworth Avenue, Bilter Road and Church Road in the city.
Aldermen will vote on a $256,291 addendum to the HR Green contract which already is about $1.9 million for work in the area, much of it connected to the new Hollywood Casino-Aurora resort project.
The City Council recently approved a $19.5 million contract with low-bidder R.W. Dunteman Co., of Addison, for the roadwork, as well as the original $1.9 million construction engineering contract with HR Green.
The city has already worked with HR Green overseeing traffic studies done for the area.
Much of the work is tied to the Hollywood Casino-Aurora resort project which is currently underway, although the city has been planning for all the roadwork needed in that area through 2050.
In addition to the casino resort project, the city owns land further east on Bilter Road that will be developed, some into mixed uses, some into housing.
The $19.5 million was higher than the estimated $16 million the city had expected for the work, which means officials are looking at changing some things and delaying others to afford it.
While parts of the project are being delayed, city officials have said they are moving ahead with things like right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation, which HR Green is involved with.
City officials want it ready so they can seek federal funding for the projects.
The city does have some money already lined up for the roadwork. The casino itself has put forward $2 million for the roads as part of its redevelopment agreement with the city.
The city also has $2.5 million in federal funds committed to the projects and will be seeking more, officials have said. The tax increment financing district for the casino site could pay for some of it as well.
Also, the city will get an estimated $2 million to $2.5 million in interest off the proceeds from the $58 million bond issue the city passed as part of the casino redevelopment agreement.
The proceeds come because the city has passed the bond issue already, but has not yet paid the casino the $50 million toward the overall $360 million project.
Payment will be done based on a series of benchmarks the casino must meet first. In the meantime, the city is earning interest off the proceeds.
The city is hoping to have much of the roadwork done by Thanksgiving time 2025. The timing is to have the work done by Black Friday of next year, because that begins a big weekend for the nearby Chicago Premium Outlets mall.
slord@tribpub.com
