A proposal to certify the Greek Row area as a Special Service Area has been made.

A Special Service Area is a special taxing district that will be a vehicle for the city to collect money for the new lighting in the Greek Row area, said Sue Guio, community services planner.

The lighting program is the first major project under the Greek Row Revitalization Plan.

Through the survey results and meetings with residents and property owners in the Greek Row area, it was determined that the major issue was that the area was not safe and additional lighting was needed, Guio said.

The revitalization plan will cover areas around Normal, Greenbrier, Annie Glidden and Ridge roads.

The lighting program covers less area. Lighting will be added from the south side of Edgebrook Drive to the north side of Greenbrier Road, and from Blackhawk Road to Normal Road.

The city will pay for light fixtures to be installed in areas between buildings and parking lots. Maintenance and utility costs will be paid by the realty tax.

“We will only collect based on the actual cost,” Guio said.

Larger, darker areas definitely will be lit, and lighting will be added to areas with multiple parking lots adjacent to each other, Guio said.

“The lighting will not only make things safer but make people feel more comfortable in the parking lot area,” said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen.

Officials also hope crime will decrease in the Greek Row area.

“The lighting will help decrease vandalism and should help identify those vandalizing,” Guio said. “The police will also find the lighting helpful when trying to find someone hiding.”

Property owners in the Greek Row area will see an increase in their taxes by about $1 per unit.

Long-term Greek Row residents also are concerned with the safety issues.

“I have lived in the area for 10 years and I have seen the changes in the community,” said Jackie Stading, house mom for the Sigma Kappa sorority house. “I thoroughly enjoy being with the young people and would like to see their safety secured. If the lighting will do this, then the expenditure is necessary.”

Two other Special Service Areas have been created in DeKalb.

“These tax districts were not for lighting, but for landscaping,” Guio said.