Plum Grove Park is being redeveloped by the Rolling Meadows Park District.
We will upload the new park development as soon as it becomes available.
Please submit any historical documents or plans to the SaveBriarwood committee
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The Briarwood Bridge has been fully repaired and restored!!!
As a result of the Plum Grove Estates homeowners ongoing efforts in 2017 the PTRD completed repairs on the bridge with a full restoration. We thank you for showing your continual support in our effort to maintain the architectural and historical integrity of Briarwood and our bridge. We feel the large presence of lawn signs throughout the neighborhood strongly spoke to the majority desire to repair and not replace the bridge and after a several year process we achieved our goal. The historical significance of the bridge and the neighborhood and surrounding community support was a key factor in our result.
In the meantime, please visit savebriarwood.com to get updates on the project and the progress of the historical nomination for our community and bridge.
As a result of the Plum Grove Estates homeowners ongoing efforts in 2017 the PTRD completed repairs on the bridge with a full restoration. We thank you for showing your continual support in our effort to maintain the architectural and historical integrity of Briarwood and our bridge. We feel the large presence of lawn signs throughout the neighborhood strongly spoke to the majority desire to repair and not replace the bridge and after a several year process we achieved our goal. The historical significance of the bridge and the neighborhood and surrounding community support was a key factor in our result.
In the meantime, please visit savebriarwood.com to get updates on the project and the progress of the historical nomination for our community and bridge.
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HISTORIC DISTRICT STATUS
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Remember to FOIA!
Thank goodness for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)! This act allows any citizen to access the records and emails of any government agency (i.e. PTRD [Palatine Township Road District] and IDOT [Illinois Department of Transportation]). Utilizing FOIA, our committee has accessed significant information regarding the Briarwood bridge project, outlined below.
Tom Kaider said, “The Briarwood Lane bridge, in Plum Grove Estates, is absolutely a historic and important element of the surrounding neighborhood and all of Palatine Township. Historical charms like this must be protected, otherwise we risk damaging the character of our neighborhoods."
Some facts in our efforts:
1) We learned that the Township had a repair plan with a 30-year minimum expected life. Plum Grove Estates homeowners were not informed of this option by the PTRD, nor was it presented by the Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association Board in the Summer Newsletter or in the most recent PGEPOA Board mailing. The only repair plan the PTRD presented and discussed was indicated to have a 10-year expected life, and was derided as "kicking the can down the road.”
2) Clearly and repeatedly the PTRD’s and IDOT's documents showed that a replacement bridge plan would have no impact on the flood problems of the creek in our subdivision. (For documentation supporting this, please click the “Supporting Documents” tab, then look under the Flooding section.)
3) With overwhelming support from Plum Grove Estates homeowners, the 20 MPH vote was passed. This is a significant item in the specifications for bridge design as well as for safer roads for our community.
4) The State Historic Preservation Officer has determined that the bridge does have historical significance.
Our committee has now received signed petitions opposing bridge replacement and road realignment from well more than a majority of homeowners in Plum Grove Estates. Copies of the signed petitions have been forwarded to the PTRD and to our PGEPOA Board. We have also garnered a great deal of support from people in the neighboring communities!
Clearly, a majority of Plum Grove Estates homeowners supported the repair option. At the June Plum Grove Estates Property Owners meeting, both Mr. Powers and our Board President went on record indicating they would support the decision of the majority of our homeowners on this issue. We now have that clear majority of homeowners.
Lastly, we received an independent report of the bridge done by a very qualified Professional Structural Engineer, Mr. Joe Jyawook, P.E., S.E. Mr. Jyawook worked at the Illinois Department of Transportation for 35 years doing bridge design, review and inspection. He was called on to consult for the city of Milwaukee when Miller Park stadium, which was under construction, began to collapse. He has impeccable experience and credentials.
His assessment of existing conditions:
• The deck surface is in good condition but there are spalls underneath (on the underside of the deck surface).
• The wood railing requires repair.
• The support walls are in good condition (the vertical piers that support the deck).
• Overall, the structure is in good condition.
Based on his inspection, he recommends any one of three options:
1) Repair the structure and lower the speed limit.
2) Widen the structure, remove and replace the deck and restore the stone posts and wood railings. (This would be done using the existing culvert.)
3) Remove and replace the structure.
Two other engineering experts have inspected the bridge with similar findings with respect to the condition of the bridge, and Mr. Jyawook clearly identified repair as a viable option. A reduction in the speed limit, as was recently voted on by homeowners, would minimize, if not eliminate, the need for any changes to the structure of the sidewalls and the surrounding roadway.
Our committee has clearly and consistently taken a position that the bridge should be repaired, thus eliminating any need for roadwork or realignment of Briarwood Lane. The safety and environmental issues add to the reasons to preserve an important part of our community.
We thank the many Plum Grove Estates homeowners and those of you in neighboring communities for your support, and hope you will continue to support the efforts of your committee to preserve the Briarwood Lane and the bridge.
Thank goodness for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)! This act allows any citizen to access the records and emails of any government agency (i.e. PTRD [Palatine Township Road District] and IDOT [Illinois Department of Transportation]). Utilizing FOIA, our committee has accessed significant information regarding the Briarwood bridge project, outlined below.
Tom Kaider said, “The Briarwood Lane bridge, in Plum Grove Estates, is absolutely a historic and important element of the surrounding neighborhood and all of Palatine Township. Historical charms like this must be protected, otherwise we risk damaging the character of our neighborhoods."
Some facts in our efforts:
1) We learned that the Township had a repair plan with a 30-year minimum expected life. Plum Grove Estates homeowners were not informed of this option by the PTRD, nor was it presented by the Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association Board in the Summer Newsletter or in the most recent PGEPOA Board mailing. The only repair plan the PTRD presented and discussed was indicated to have a 10-year expected life, and was derided as "kicking the can down the road.”
2) Clearly and repeatedly the PTRD’s and IDOT's documents showed that a replacement bridge plan would have no impact on the flood problems of the creek in our subdivision. (For documentation supporting this, please click the “Supporting Documents” tab, then look under the Flooding section.)
3) With overwhelming support from Plum Grove Estates homeowners, the 20 MPH vote was passed. This is a significant item in the specifications for bridge design as well as for safer roads for our community.
4) The State Historic Preservation Officer has determined that the bridge does have historical significance.
Our committee has now received signed petitions opposing bridge replacement and road realignment from well more than a majority of homeowners in Plum Grove Estates. Copies of the signed petitions have been forwarded to the PTRD and to our PGEPOA Board. We have also garnered a great deal of support from people in the neighboring communities!
Clearly, a majority of Plum Grove Estates homeowners supported the repair option. At the June Plum Grove Estates Property Owners meeting, both Mr. Powers and our Board President went on record indicating they would support the decision of the majority of our homeowners on this issue. We now have that clear majority of homeowners.
Lastly, we received an independent report of the bridge done by a very qualified Professional Structural Engineer, Mr. Joe Jyawook, P.E., S.E. Mr. Jyawook worked at the Illinois Department of Transportation for 35 years doing bridge design, review and inspection. He was called on to consult for the city of Milwaukee when Miller Park stadium, which was under construction, began to collapse. He has impeccable experience and credentials.
His assessment of existing conditions:
• The deck surface is in good condition but there are spalls underneath (on the underside of the deck surface).
• The wood railing requires repair.
• The support walls are in good condition (the vertical piers that support the deck).
• Overall, the structure is in good condition.
Based on his inspection, he recommends any one of three options:
1) Repair the structure and lower the speed limit.
2) Widen the structure, remove and replace the deck and restore the stone posts and wood railings. (This would be done using the existing culvert.)
3) Remove and replace the structure.
Two other engineering experts have inspected the bridge with similar findings with respect to the condition of the bridge, and Mr. Jyawook clearly identified repair as a viable option. A reduction in the speed limit, as was recently voted on by homeowners, would minimize, if not eliminate, the need for any changes to the structure of the sidewalls and the surrounding roadway.
Our committee has clearly and consistently taken a position that the bridge should be repaired, thus eliminating any need for roadwork or realignment of Briarwood Lane. The safety and environmental issues add to the reasons to preserve an important part of our community.
We thank the many Plum Grove Estates homeowners and those of you in neighboring communities for your support, and hope you will continue to support the efforts of your committee to preserve the Briarwood Lane and the bridge.
Remembering the Petition
Thank you to all those who have signed and returned petitions!
Click on the "How to HELP" tab (above) for more information.
Click on the "How to HELP" tab (above) for more information.
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Plum Grove Estates residents:
Thank you for returning the speed-limit ballots sent by the PGEPOA Board! As you are aware from the Board's mailing, an overwhelming majority of residents voted in favor of reducing the speed limit to 20 mph. New 20mph signs were recently installed in the neighborhood! Thanks for your input!
Save Briarwood in Modern Illinois
Lou Zucaro, creator of the website Modern Illinois (www.modernil.com), and an aficionado of mid-century modern architecture (such as the homes in Plum Grove Estates), has been an active in our neighborhood and is an advocate for mid-century asset preservation. At the beginning of the bridge campaign he came out to our neighborhood to find out more about the Save Briarwood campaign, and to photograph the Briarwood bridge for an article he has posted on his website. He has kindly supported us in the "Community Comments" section of our website (Thanks, Lou!) and, if you haven't already checked out www.modernil.com, you really should. It's a great showcase of local mid-century modern architecture!
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We made history!!! This was the first time ever that voters were given the opportunity to elect
our township representatives in a Primary and General Election.
We are working on a 200 page submittal to the State Historic Preservation Office for our nomination on the National Register of Historic Places.
The efforts to Save Briarwood was complete
with neighborhood involvement and transparency
after years of being kept in the dark by the Road District's plans......
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Bill, Kathy, Bill, Tommy, Sharon, Kevin, Art
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The members of the 'Better for Palatine Township' are happy to meet or talk with any resident to address questions. FROM THE BETTER FOR PALATINE SLATE: "We announced this week that every single candidate on our slate would refuse any sort of taxpayer-funded pension that comes with our positions. We believe that public service should be just that, an opportunity to serve your community, and not an opportunity to pad your wallet thanks to generous pension benefits. In addition, part-time government jobs shouldn’t come with taxpayer-funded pensions. " |
