Huntley Seeks State Funding for Downtown Streetscape Improvements, Gateway

may get a financial boost through a state of Illinois program.

The Illinois Secretary of Transportation is making $50 million available to communities through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, Village Manager Dave Johnson said.

The downtown streetscape improvements project, part of Huntley's downtown revitalization effort, fits the qualifications for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, Johnson said. Huntley officials plan to apply for $1.5 million in funding with an 80/20 percent split, he said. The deadline to apply is May 29.

Downtown improvements would include pavers, decorative crosswalks and decorative lighting along with an entryway monument at the southeast corner of Route 47 and Main Street.

Trustees got a look Thursday at two designs for the entryway sign. One features a standard sign, the other an electric sign. Douglas Gotham, landscape architect with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, designed both versions.

Trustee Pam Fender asked about adding a few more details to the design, although Village President Charles Sass did not agree with the idea. Gotham is going to add the details Fender suggested to a final design.

Sass asked for the board’s feeling on both signs and everyone agreed with the electronic sign. Sass said staff could get a proposal ready for the bidding process.

The estimated cost for a message board sign and landscaping is $173,300, officials said.