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TEMPORARY EASEMENT REQUEST
Request: Requesting authorization for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (“the Preserves”) to grant a temporary easement to the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) at Midlothian Meadows and Oak Forest Heritage Preserves, along the west side of Pulaski/Crawford Avenue at 159th Street for 0.557 acres or 24,276 square feet.
Reason: IDOT requests a temporary easement along the west side of Pulaski/Crawford Avenue to construct a ten (10) foot wide paved, shared use path connecting the south entrance of Midlothian Meadows to the Oak Forest Heritage Preserve. IDOT originally proposed a pedestrian path on the east side of Crawford but agreed to relocate this to the west side to connect two (2) Forest Preserve trails at Midlothian Meadows and the Oak Forest Heritage Preserves.
IDOT will construct the path with a 20% cost share with the Preserves, estimated at $16,000.00. IDOT has offered to pay the appraised value of the temporary easement as an easement fee but Forest Preserve staff is recommending waiver of tree mitigation fees because the project benefits the Forest Preserves. The path will be constructed as part of improvements to the intersection of US Route 6 (159th Street) and Pulaski/Crawford Avenue. The improvements include traffic signal replacement with bicycle and pedestrian crossing. The temporary easement is for five (5) years or until completion of construction, whichever comes first.
The area for the temporary easement is 0.557 acres. IDOT indicates that a yet to be determined number of trees are expected to be removed for this project.
Term: Five (5) years or until completion of construction, whichever comes first
Easement Fee: $4,600.00
Tree Mitigation Fee: Waived
Concurrence(s):
The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Attorney have approved this item.
The Preserves staff have reviewed this easement request and plans and have found them to be acceptable; therefore, it is recommended that the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners approve the issuance of this temporary easement.
District(s): 5
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