Since 1982, Joliet has spent millions to rebuild its infrastructure, but this year City Council members are looking at using some of that money to help the people who rely on those streets and water lines.
“The Neighborhood Improvement program is a tremendous program,” said Councilman Warren Dorris. “But part of neighborhood improvement, to me, is to help improve the quality of life for the people walking on those curbs and sidewalks. Sometimes, that [means] spending soft money on those things you can’t see.”
Through the Neighborhood Improvement program, Joliet has repaved 240 miles of street, added curbs, gutters and storm sewers, and replaced water mains. Residents participate in the program by paying for up to 40 percent of the cost of a project that affects their homes.
The city started the program with tax dollars. But in 1994 it began tapping its share of riverboat gaming revenue to pay for the repairs, which have totaled $121 million. Each of the five council members who represent a district gets an allocation, which amounted to about $1.75 million this year.
Dorris said he plans to spend some of this year’s allocation on “human needs” for his southeast side district by helping the Warren Sharpe Community Center. The center, which helps about 500 people a week, provides educational and recreational activities and health services at two buildings.
Center officials are studying whether to build an addition or demolish the older building and replace it, said director Kay Bolden. In 1992, Joliet did a street-repair project outside of the center, 454 S. Joliet St.
Dorris announced his intentions last month when the City Council considered a $55.3 million economic development program. On Sept. 19, councilmen approved the five-year program, which includes $23.5 million to build a minor league baseball stadium, $8 million for an aquatics complex and $5 million each for a new history museum and a branch of the Joliet Public library.
Councilmen also voted to add $1.5 million a year for five years for the Neighborhood Improvement budget, which was about $8.5 million in the 2000 fiscal year. Plans call for an additional $500,000 a year for the three districts that cover the city’s oldest areas.
Councilman Alex Ledesma said he hopes to use the additional money for seniors who need help with their share of the Neighborhood Improvement work. He said he also plans to allocate money for park improvements, which could include adding basketball and tennis courts, jogging tracks and shelters.
Councilman Tim Brophy said he will put the additional dollars into street repairs. A block of residents wanting a project puts it on a districtwide list. Residents usually wait about two years for a project, down from four in the 1980s, he said.
But, “from now on, the wait to get a project done in this district should be no more than a year,” Brophy said.
Dorris said architects are working to determine the costs of the Warren Sharpe building project. He plans to show the center’s proposal to the City Council before allocating money.
“The Warren Sharpe Community Center has proven to be an outstanding resource,” Dorris said. “It has helped turn lives around and given people hope.”
He said money might also be provided to the Peter Claver Community Center, which is similar in purpose to the Warren Sharpe center.
“We have an opportunity to do some things, and I’m going to do as many things as we can to help and influence the district,” Dorris said. “There are lot of programs that can be done to address the social-economic problems that this community is facing.”
