Summit to get parking

Demolition frees up much-needed space

By Steve Metsch

Much-needed parking may soon be available for businesses along Archer Road in Summit

Using grant money received earlier this year, the village board voted unanimously Monday night to spend $10,000 to acquire a burned-out apartment building at 7641 West 61^stPlace.

“This is the multi-unit (building) that caught fire and it’s pretty much been boarded-up for over a year now,” Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said.

The building will soon be demolished, creating room for a parking lot, Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said after the board’s speedy meeting that lasted just over six minutes.

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“In the back (of the property) is a coach house. That’s still standing. But the multi-unit has to go. I want to make it a parking lot. It’s right behind the business area. You need parking for the businesses there,” Rodriguez said.

He’s not sure how many parking spaces will be available.

In other business, the board approved a final payment of $3,852.61 to Accu-Paving Co for repaving of the police station parking lot.

Police Chief John Kosmowski is pleased with the results: “It’s very nice. Very smooth. The guys don’t miss the potholes.”

The board appointed retired Summit police officer Michael Dubinka to the Des Plaines Valley ETSB Board.

That’s the former 911 board, Rodrguez said. “They discuss how the fund are allocated,” he said.

As mandated by the state, the board unanimously approved expanding the time for filing discrimination charges with the Illinois Department of Human Rights from 180 days to 300 days.

In other news, Rodriguez said he soon hopes to have a design for the proposed renovation to the boat launch on the canal.

Summit Village Trustee Sam Dardovski talks with Argo Community High School Junior Brian Casales after Monday’s board meeting. Students were assigned to attend the meeting for an American government class. Trustee Mayra Ortiz chats with junior Heidi Soria in the background. Photo by Steve Metsch. s

The meeting was crowded with about 20 students from Argo Community High School who needed to attend a village board meeting for a class.

Trustees had to sign forms for each student to prove that they indeed had attended the meeting.

“This is for an American government class,” junior Brian Casales said. “We have to attend a board meeting and write down what they discuss. We use that information for an essay that’s due Nov. 16.”

Desplaines Valley News

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Steve Metsch

Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer for a financial newsletter, a health magazine and the Naperville Sun.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net