[Dewey-Darrow] Please vote for NIF proposals

Tue Apr 14 19:52:51 CDT 2009

Neighbors-   dont forget to send in your votes on the three  proposals for 
the NIF -neighborhood improvement  funds-       if you can attend the 
meeting on  Sunday at 3 they will all be detailed there and you can vote there- 
but if you  cant attend pls send in your votes to me at _sugrcreek at aol.com_ 
(mailto:sugrcreek at aol.com)   or to Julie at _juliemarkw at earthlink.net_ 
(mailto:juliemarkw at earthlink.net) 
  It is critical that we have good representation on voting so the  city 
will release funds for projects neighbors support!!!!!
thanks
Dickelle  
 IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST EMAIL HERE IT IS AGAIN!!!

Details  of each proposal attached.

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 and  including tax and shipping. 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 3 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.  This is the fund 
that  was responsible for the cutting edge landscaping project in our area- 
the  52 street corners which were planted with perennials and bulbs last  
year.  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

"It is  not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to 
recognize, accept,  and celebrate those differences"

(Audre Lorde  1934-92)
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