Shorewood approves surveying contract for unfinished subdivisions
By Clare Walters Correspondent November 14, 2012 6:20PM
Updated: December 19, 2012 12:16PM
SHOREWOOD—One step remains in the village’s effort to put the finishing touches on several village subdivisions left unfinished in wake of the housing market collapse.
The village board Tuesday approved a $155,000 contract with Joliet-based Ruettiger, Tonelli & Associates to conduct surveying that should provide details on the location of water mains, vaults, sewer structures, pipe sizes, street sign locations, lights, trees and more for the village’s geographic information system (GIS).
Public Works Supt. Roger Barrowman said such surveys are typically furnished by developers when developments are complete.
The cost of the contract will be paid with money the village secured in recent years. The village has seized bonds developers had posted on eight subdivisions, Barrowman said, allowing the village to complete a variety of subdivision-finishing projects, such as road surfacing and curb and gutter work, that have remained uncompleted for years since developers pulled out of the community during the housing market crash.
Ruettiger, Tonelli & Associates began working with the village three years ago to build its GIS utilities database. The surveying project is expected to be completed by December 2013. Barrowman said the GIS system will benefit all village departments, not just public works.
In other business Tuesday, the village board approved the construction of a 1,300-foot bike path along the south side of U.S. Route 52 from Shorewood Glen to River Road.
The board agreed to build the path last month. Work on the path has not yet begun, though officials expect it to be completed this year.
Mayor Richard Chapman said the village is working out some right-of-way issues with the land owner. Once an easement is defined and accepted by the village administrator, work will proceed.
Shorewood Glen resident Ed Murphy thanked the board for its quick action on the project, which was requested to allow pedestrian access to the businesses at the Route 52 and River Road intersection.
“It moved very, very quickly and I really appreciate it and the residents appreciate it,” he said, adding that one neighbor will no longer have to ride his motorized wheelchair on Route 52.
