TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2015
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Park District for the District to repurpose the Collateral Channel for use as park and natural habitat and transfer ownership of the reclaimed land to the Chicago Park District
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is requested to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Chicago Park District for the District to repurpose the Collateral Channel for use as park and natural habitat and transfer ownership of the reclaimed land to the Chicago Park District (CPD). The Collateral Channel is a 1,600-foot long navigation slip connected to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) east of Kedzie Avenue. The channel was constructed by the District prior to 1900 to facilitate the completion and opening of the CSSC. It has seen little use in recent years for navigation and is stagnant most of the time. Occasionally, the City of Chicago Albany Avenue Relief Sewer (AARS) outfall at the head of the channel will discharge combined sewer overflow. Historically, the channel received polluted discharges from nearby industry and frequent overflows from the AARS.
The District has considered a pilot project in conjunction with others to construct a wetland in the north acre of the Collateral Channel. Due to the complexity and cost of the project, the District is no longer considering this approach. The concept for the current project includes transporting McCook Reservoir rock to the site and filling the channel from north to south. The City of Chicago combined sewer overflow outfall will be extended to the CSSC with a nine-foot outfall pipe. Once the channel has been filled with rock to near grade, topsoil and biosolids will be imported and the reclaimed property will be reseeded with native plantings and provide a welcome amenity to the South Lawndale Community. This reclaimed park land will be contiguous with a recently-completed CPD park, La Villita Park, and provide coveted access to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
Permitting by the United States Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and others will be required. It is anticipated that mitigation will be needed for filling in Waters of the United States.
Based on the foregoing, the Engineering Department recommends that the District be authorized to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Park District. Authority to enter into an IGA will be sought from the Board of Commissioners at a future date.
Requested, Catherine A. O'Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:KMF
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Committee on Engineering
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for March 5, 2015