Library to Receive Funding for Renovation Project

As work gets under way on , trustees approved an agreement that will fund $270,000 in façade improvements and utility upgrades to the Normantown Road facility.

Trustees on Wednesday signed off on an intergovernmental agreement with the library district that will provide tax increment financing (TIF) funding for the project as part of the village’s downtown redevelopment plan.

The plan is aimed at encouraging development of vacant sites and improving existing facilities from Route 53 to Dalhart and Normantown to Alexander.

Village attorney Rich Vogel said the intergovernmental agreement will allow the village to help defray the costs of library renovations, along with capping project permit and review fees at $10,000.

Under the agreement, the village will reimburse the library district for façade work and water main improvements within 60 days of project completion.

TIF-eligible portions of the project include a new entry portico, new fascia panels and the addition of exterior cast banding on the surface of the building.

“It’s going to take a great facility and make it even better,” Mayor John Noak said of the renovation.

Trustee Jose Chavez said the TIF funding won’t simply give the library a financial boost.

“The benefit for this is for all our residents … everyone in the village,” he said.

The project will renovate both the basement and first floor of the building.

The library district purchased the facility from the Fountaindale Public Library District last year. Currently, only the first floor is in use.

“I can’t wait to see both floors being utilized,” Chavez said.