A vacant city lot could soon become a park and garden space after the City Council approved a plan June 23 to transform the former site of the Berwyn Police Station.
The lot, which is kitty corner from City Hall, 6700 W. 26th St., has been vacant since the police station moved to its current location at 6401 W. 31st St. in 2001. The fire department proposed building a new fire station on the property, but officials have been left wondering what to do with the site until the city determines whether it has the funding or the need for a new fire house.
“For the time being, we’re interested in doing something with the property to clean it up and try to beautify it,” Lovero said. “(Nearby residents) have been looking at an eye sore over there for quite a few years.”
While the city waits to decide what to do with the property in the long term, the council approved a preliminary plan to install parking spaces for City Hall employees, a park space and 18 10-feet-by-5-feet garden plots. Alderman Michele Skryd, 4th Ward, said she has been in contact with the Community Economic Development Association of Cook County, which has expressed an interest in using the plots for an urban garden.
North Berwyn Park District Director Joe Vallez has offered to donate soil to the project and would pair with the Community Economic Development Association to bring children attending the park district’s summer programs over to the site to take care of the gardens.
“We thought it would be a wonderful addition for the children,” Skryd said.
Produce from the gardens could also be used to give back to the community through some type of farmers market, Skryd said.
The council also approved a proposal allowing the fire department to apply for a $5 million grant to build a new fire station. Lovero said officials do not know whether the city will receive the grant, and if they do, they are not sure whether they will accept it.
The fire department must apply for the federal stimulus funding by July 10. Grants are expected to be awarded some time in September.
