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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far along in the process is the project?
A: Right now the administration is working to finalize the design of the new municipal complex and bid out various parts of the project to qualified vendors. The town has retained highly respected and experienced architects and a construction management firm that will oversee the project to ensure it is completed on time and within the defined budget, as recently approved by the Town Board. President Dominick and his team are taking all the necessary planning steps at this stage to ensure that once the town breaks ground, the project proceeds swiftly.
Q: How will the new municipal complex affect the town?
A: The new municipal complex will be a tremendous town asset and community resource. The new town hall, police station and youth center will allow President Dominick to keep several promises he made to the residents of Cicero when he ran for office and shared his vision for a "New Cicero." The features to be included in the new complex will: improve the efficiency and responsiveness of town services; bring Cicero into the 21st century technologically; create a real town center that is family-friendly; and provide much needed classroom and recreational space for youth-oriented programming.
President Dominick is taking a field that features an auditorium building that has been closed for more than two decades with a gaping hole in the roof and which has become a haven for criminal activity, a field that is not properly maintained and turning it into a state-of-the-art municipal complex with functional green space that Cicero residents deserve. This complex will be used by exponentially more people than ever used Albright Field.
Q: How is the new municipal complex being financed? Where is the money coming from?
A: The town is using $50 million in bonds that were sold by the previous administration-Ramiro Gonzalez's administration-and available tax-increment financing (TIF) fund dollars to fund the project. Importantly, there will be NO tax increases to fund the municipal complex. Political opponents of President Dominick have unfortunately and maliciously attempted to spread misinformation about the project and the financing of the project so it is important to set the record straight. Gonzalez sold those $50 million in bonds in the final days of his administration without attaching it to a project, which is another example of Gonzalez's terrible fiscal mismanagement of Cicero tax dollars. President Dominick has taken this bond money to put it to productive use for the residents of Cicero.
Q: When will construction begin and how long is it expected to take?
The first thing to be done to clear the way for construction is the demolition of the abandoned gymnasium building. We expect that demolition to take place in late October.
The project is being done in phases with the Youth Center to be completed first and then the new police station and administration buildings to follow. The Youth Center should be completed by early 2008 with the delivery of the fully completed municipal complex sometime in the fall of 2008.
Q: What has the feedback been from town residents who have communicated to President Dominick about the new municipal complex?
We have gotten tremendous feedback from residents who are excited to see the town do something productive with Albright Field after all the years of it sitting in disrepair. Further, residents are excited about the new park being built at 1808 S. Laramie which will feature baseball and soccer fields, further adding the available green space for Cicero families and children to enjoy.
Residents are encouraged by President Dominick's vision of a "New Cicero" with a centrally located municipal complex and community center.
We get e-mails and letters every day encouraging President Dominick to stay focused on doing good things for the town and making progress on this project and the various other challenges confronting the town. Residents want to see progress not political cheap-shot artists with no vision and no concern for the town running off at the mouth. President Dominick is very pleased and appreciative of the faith the residents have put in him.
Q: Why did the town pick this location (50th & Cermak)?
The town picked this location because it can accommodate the complete vision of a new, state-of-the-art municipal complex with a youth center and functional green space for residents to enjoy. Further, it allows the town to replace a blighted field with 21st century facilities that better serve the residents of Cicero.
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