Algonquin Village President John Schmitt’s Public Statement on Longmeadow Parkway
- Algonquin Village President John C. Schmitt issued a media statement Friday, April 15, following a Thursday-night open house. Here is his statement, in full:
I was gratified to see a good turnout of people interested in participating in the Longmeadow Parkway project. I have been participating in public meetings on this project for the past 20 years, and I have always welcomed the opportunity to listen to people’s comments, questions and concerns.
The development of this bridge corridor has been in the planning and development stages since the 1990s, and represents a true partnership of residents working with federal, state, county and local agencies to plan, fund and implement the corridor improvements.
As expected, many of the people attending the open house expressed concerns and even opposition to the project. But if the last 20 years of public service have taught me anything it is that individuals, in promoting what they perceive to be in their own self-interest, will often initially object to what is in the public interest.
As village president, I believe that it is not my job to be a populist, or do what is simply politically expedient. I believe that my job is to listen and consider, ultimately doing what is necessary to advance the public good for the future of the community as a whole.
Years of village opinion surveys have shown three areas of concern by our residents: a lack of good jobs, high taxes from a variety of taxing bodies, and the lack of regional transportation. Longmeadow Parkway will address all three of these important issues, not only by providing commuter transportation for our residents and those to come but also to open up additional transportation access to our corporate campus. The corporate structures will house jobs and raise the EAV of the community to help prevent the need for additional taxes.
I hear some say, “the people have spoken, look at the advisory referendum,” but I reject the premise of the advisory question outright. The question was purposely worded in a confusing, false and leading manner. The question was designed as a campaign slogan, devoid and ignorant to the facts, with the purpose of creating public fear to elicit a specific response. The question is disrespectful to the citizens who participated in the hundreds of public meetings throughout the years, engaging with engineers, planners and elected officials based on the facts. The advisory question tried to hijack 20 years of public discourse, which is frustrating and unfortunate.
So let me state the facts in direct rebuttal to the advisory question:
(A) Longmeadow Parkway is not a tollway. It is a minor arterial roadway about 5.6 miles in length, extending from Huntley/Boyer Road to IL Route 62, including a new Fox River Bridge crossing. Access to all of the 5.6 mile corridor will be free to the public, with the possible exception of the Fox River bridge. Kane County Division of Transportation officials estimate that the bridge toll will be 75 cents or less, and toll collection will cease once the bridge debt is retired.
(B) The total cost of the project, including construction and construction engineering, is estimated at $115 million. About $30 million already has been invested in engineering and land acquisition.
By comparison, the cost of construction and construction engineering is much less than the cost associated with the Stearns Road Bridge Corridor. Funding commitments so far include:
a. $14.5 million from the federal government
b. $39.4 million from the state of Illinois
c. $61.1 million local Kane County funds
i. $3.5 million from KDOT’s programmed local impact fees
ii. $22.6 million from KDOT’s programmed Regional Transportation Authority sales tax
iii. $35 million from existing fund sources or from future bond revenue to be repaid with tolls
(C) Longmeadow Parkway does bisect the Brunner Family Forest Preserve. This is fortunate because the acquisition and establishment of the Forest Preserve was made possible through the planning process and project funding for the Longmeadow Parkway right of way. The property was planned for development, but KDOT and the Forest Preserve District worked together to set aside both the forest preserve open space and Kane County right of way for Longmeadow Parkway.
(D) Concerns regarding air, noise and water pollution have been studied and addressed. The federal and state agencies required that the plans protect wetlands, trees, threatened and endangered species and mitigate noise. For every tree removed, two high-quality native trees will be planted, resulting in more than 10,000 new trees to be planted along the corridor and in open space areas such as the Brunner Family Forest Preserve.
The final Environmental Impact Statement compared Longmeadow Parkway to alternative corridors and a “no build” option, and each alternative — including “no build” — had more environmental impacts and required traffic to use existing streets through residential neighborhoods.
(E) Property values will be positively impacted because the Longmeadow Parkway bridge will not only relieve severe traffic congestion and delays in the region but will also create a critical transportation link to business districts, employment and commercial centers in the region. The biggest impediment to creating jobs and investment that will fund our schools is the lack of coordinated transportation in our region.
During construction, the project will create over 4,000 jobs. When completed, studies project that, by 2040, Longmeadow Parkway will support over 50,000 new jobs within a 5-mile radius. Well-funded schools supported by taxes generated from robust corporate office parks filled with people with high-paying jobs will increase property values.
In closing, let me say that I value and respect all those who took time out of their schedule to meet with me and participate in the public process. It is this type of discourse, critical thinking and accountability that continue to make the Longmeadow Parkway project a success.
John C. Schmitt
Algonquin Village President
