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Update - February 7, 2008

County Awards Zion Another CDBG Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is
a federally funded program that helps cities attract development by offsetting the cost of environment
clean up or remediation.  This has been a very good
tool for the City of Zion since numerous sites along Sheridan Road were once home to gas stations or businesses that relied on stored heating fuel.

The unpredictable cost of clean up can often end a development opportunity since a Phase One study
can only assess the likelihood of a problem based
on the known history of the site and some preliminary
soil sampling for possible contaminants.  A Phase Two may be required and this can offer a clearer idea of the problem, but there is always the risk of unearthing a surprise tank or vein of residual chemicals that missed
the testing process.

The CDBG program attempts to minimize the gamble by reimbursing a developer fifty percent of the clean
up costs up to $100,000.  This safety net is often enough to encourage the project to go forward on sites
that otherwise would remain abandoned or vacant. 

In the case of Zion, the administration of the program falls to the Lake County Board.  Our success
is receiving grants has been due largely in part to the advocacy of our Board Representative Dr. Brent Paxton who has given his full support to seven projects to date.  

These projects originate in the Department of Economic Development with Director Delaine Rogers. 
On behalf of the city and developer, she submits a grant request with details of the project and estimated total cost of remediation.  A formal presentation is then made to the Board sub-committee who makes a recommendation to the full County Board.  Zion, Waukegan and North Chicago are the leading communities who participate routinely.

Since its inception the city has seen success at the corner of Route 173 and Sheridan where the former gas station and car wash was transformed into Dunkin Donuts and Great Lakes Credit Union.  The former Dan Miller Ford site at 34th and Sheridan also received a grant to clear the way for the new Country Inn and Suites.  Aldi was another project recipient of CDBG support.  Other projects include the former Candy/Cookie factory sites on Ebenezer and the original Martin Oil at 3003 Sheridan that will soon be the new home of AutoZone.

The most recent award was presented this week for the southwest corner of 24th and Sheridan recently purchased by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  The Sheridan Road corridor is certainly a viable development opportunity, but programs such as CDBG and involved elected officials make that opportunity become a reality.