Lewis Athletic Complex Project to Go Before Village Board

The village board is on a request for a  special use permit for a general development plan at that includes a future athletic facility, a fifth residence hall and updated parking lots.

According to village documents, Community Development Director Steve Rockwell is scheduled to present the request to trustees.

Although Lewis officials have kept mum on , the special use permit request includes the planned unit development for a complex that could eventually include tennis courts, an athletic training facility and more.

According to Rockwell’s presentation, the first phase of the facility includes a track and multipurpose athletic field to be constructed this summer as part of phase one of the project. Also slated for this year is an additional 256-space parking lot.

The request includes a proposal that would allow two existing parking lots, which currently do not conform to village ordinances, to remain in use, at least for now.

Lot ZZ would be allowed to remain as-is until the university’s fifth residence hall is completed, while lot GG would have to be updated within 24 months to correct life-safety issues including narrow aisle width and emergency vehicle access. The university would also have to pay a $5,000 fine within 15 days of receiving village approval for the special use request.

Drug forfeiture funds to be dispersed

The police department is also asking the village board for approval to share the wealth after receiving more than $691,000 in drug forfeiture funds after two arrests in December 2008.

Made in concert with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security, the bust netted a total of $1,063,190 in seized drug-related assets.

Of the village’s $691,000 share, Police Chief Mark Turvey is asking the board to approve payouts of $45,000 each to four area police departments that also assisted with the arrests and seizure.

A total of $180,000 would be divided among the , East Hazel Crest, Waukegan and Palos Heights police departments

Bridge study

Village Attorney Rich Vogel is slated to present a request asking the board grant right of entry to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study to determine whether a fish barrier is having a negative effect on the 135th Street bridge.

The study will include inspection, testing and a survey to determine the impact of the fish barrier intended to block Asian carp from moving from the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal into Lake Michigan.