[Dewey-Darrow] Important-More Neighborhood Improvement Projects Presented

[SugrCreek at aol.com]

WEST CROWN PARK and  DEWEY-DARROW Neighbors 
invite you to an Evanston Plaza  Neighborhood Improvement Project   
(Mitigation Fund) meeting  at 
Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main  Street 
Sunday, April 19,  2009 from 3-5 P.M. 
Evanston Plaza Neighborhood Improvement proposals being  considered: 
1. Tot Lot: A  proposal from Grandmother  Park Initiative to create a "tot 
lot" or "pocket park" in our community.  This park and its equipment would 
be  solely intended for young children and their parents, grandparents, and  
caregivers. The Initiative seeks a contribution of up to $50,000 from the  
NIF for the purpose of purchasing a property in the target area on the 1100  
block of Darrow.  If this  contribution is not used in this manner within 
five (5) years the funds will be  returned to the NIF.  Funds not used  to 
acquire a property would be returned to the NIF. This  proposal is dependent on 
reaching an agreement with the City to accept such a  park as a donation.  
The Initiative  will seek such an agreement when the new council is seated. 
2. Cul-de-sac  Improvement: Within  the boundaries of the Neighborhood 
Improvement Fund (NIF) there are six  cul-de-sacs which over the years have been 
essentially unattended, beyond  neighborhood cleanups, wood-chipping and 
some planting of perennial flowers- all  done randomly by residents. Each of 
them is in terrible shape for different  reasons- some have trees and 
shrubbery which have died or are diseased and  dying; others have little if any 
greenery remaining from original plantings from  years ago.  This unattended 
green  infrastructure is essentially an embarrassment to residents of those 
streets and  to the city. 
The six are located at the following  intersections: 1200 Darrow/alley; 
Lee/Grey; Lee/Brown;  Crain/Hartrey; 
Greenwood/Dodge; Greenwood/Darrow.  We are requesting $22,789.52 of  the 
NIF to repair and upgrade all of the cul-de-sacs with new greenery where  
needed, and with perennial plants.  Natures Perspective has been chosen to do 
this work.   
3. Rain  Barrels:   Rain barrels are  used for aboveground water storage.  
They capture rain runoff from your  roof through gutters and downspouts. 
This free water can be used to water your  garden and wash your car. We are  
requesting that the Neighborhood Improvement Fund be used to  help residents 
in this area purchase one rain barrel for their home. We propose  that each 
address within the NIF area may request half the funds for one  rain barrel 
for their residence. This would be a cost of $26.03 to $43.56 per  barrel, 
depending on accessories needed for hook-up. If all 1,000 addresses  within 
the NIF area wanted a rain barrel, the cost would range from $26,030 to  
$43,560. We are proposing that we put a $30,000 cap on this proposal and put  
notices out with a “first come, first served” date on them. Maximum cost:  
$30,000.00. Projected actual cost:  $20,000.00  
Maximum  cost if all 4 proposals are approved:  $92,789.52. 
This  fund was set aside 10 years ago in an agreement between the city and 
the  developers of the shopping mall at Dodge/Dempster. After neighborhood  
approval, proposals must be submitted to the Economic Development Committee. 
 Those that are approved by the EDC must then be approved by the City 
Council.  NIF area is Greenwood  to Lee and Florence  to Hartrey (includes both 
sides of border streets). Neighbors within the NIF  area may vote on these 
proposals (Yes  or No for each one, there is enough money to fund all of 
them). Please vote  by Tuesday, April 21, 2009.  You can vote at the  meeting on 
Sunday or send or call in your vote to:     

Julie or Mark Westbrook, 1924  Lee Street, (847) 869-9136 or by email: 
_juliemarkw at earthlink.net_ (mailto:juliemarkw at earthlink.net)  
Or Dickelle Fonda at (847)  491-9748 or _SugrCreek at aol.com_ 
(mailto:SugrCreek at aol.com)  
Your vote is  important  

All three proposals are attached for you to read in  detail. 

")
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