Metro Strategies Group is Blooming with Potential!

Spring Newsletter 2025

Award Highlights

Metro Strategies Group was honored to receive a Special Achievement Award for Public Engagement and Communications for our work on the Village of Algonquin’s Old Town Algonquin Riverwalk & Streetscape and Washington & Harrison Street Project from ACEC of Illinois at their 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards. Our project team also received the Judge’s Choice Award! We have enjoyed working with the Village of Algonquin on this project that has not only beautified the downtown but has been committed to communicating with residents and businesses about construction throughout the process. To learn more about the downtown revitalization visit the Old Town Algonquin website.

Upcoming Grants & Funding Deadlines

May 8, 2025 - DCEO Illinois Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (IDEC)

May 9, 2025 - IDNR Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program

May 9, 2025 - IDNR Land and Water Conservation Fund

Staff Announcements

Metro Strategies Group welcomed Sarah Archer as our new Senior Project Director. Sarah brings a wealth of experience in multi-disciplinary infrastructure project development and implementation. She has led key agency coordination and stakeholder involvements throughout the implementation of the $4B Elgin O’Hare Western Access corridor - a project of regional and national significance.

A new year, new certification to celebrate! Congratulations to Metro Strategies Group’s newest AICP certified member, Sam Burns! AICP certified planners have not only shown their dedication to planning excellence through their academic and professional achievements but also by their extensive professional experience and commitment to continued growth and learning.

Happy Anniversary

Brenda Tlapa, Elli Cosky and Jordan Rogalski all recently celebrated three years with Metro Strategies Group. We could not be successful without our wonderful staff and appreciate their dedication and hard work to help our clients achieve their goals.

When is the best time to plant? I'm usually too early or late!

Brenda: For our area you can plant cool season crops outdoors in late March or early April and warm weather plants like flowers, trees and shrubs in mid-May or after the last frost.

Rocco: Timing is everything! Think of it like showing up fashionably late to a party… or as I like to say, fashionably on-time. Too early, and your plants might freeze; too late, and they might miss the best growing season. Just keep an eye on the weather forecast and aim for that sweet spot! Don’t be too enticed by that warm early spring day to get out there and start planting your herbs and veggies. If you do buy them, keep them indoors until you know the time is right. Typically, the best time to plant is after the last frost, which is usually around late April or mid-May. Think of it as a Mother’s Day "get outside and get to work" day for you and the family.

To cut back plants in Fall or not?

Rocco: Of course you should! Doesn’t everyone look better with a stylish new haircut before winter arrives? Erin (my better half) taught me that cutting back perennials in the fall will help them come back stronger in the spring, and she is right! Our garden has been flourishing for years. Waiting until late fall allows the seeds to spread across the garden. If you have too many perennials in the spring, you can always take them out and move them around to other places in your garden or share them with your friends and neighbors.

To cut back plants in Spring or not?

Brenda: I'm a firm believer that you leave plants alone for as long as possible in the Spring. Beneficial pollinators are hibernating in the plants and shrubs. If you have to cut back your plants early, pile them in a corner of your yard and do not throw them out.

Does talking to plants really help?

Brenda: I love talking to my plants and letting them know that they're doing a great job. I think it's mindful, and a calming practice that gives me a sense of connection to my garden. Not sure if there's a scientific connection? But, I'm pretty sure the carbon dioxide is good for them.

Rocco: YES! You should only worry if your plants start talking back to you. I like telling my plants (mostly my indoor plants) how good they look and how much they’ve grown. It’s like a wellness check for plants. Who doesn’t like to hear how good they look? I think the plants want to hear that too, even if they may be struggling a bit. It may not help the plant, but it can improve your mood and make you aware of their needs when you actively monitor how they’re doing.

What are some good suggestions for very beginner-friendly plants?

Rocco: The plant is commonly known as the 'Mother-in-Law’s Tongue' (no offense to any mothers-in-law out there!) or the Snake Plant. This plant is tough as nails and can survive in low light, low water, low attention, outdoors in the spring summer and indoors in the winter. It’s a perfect plant for those who want to say they have real plants in their house but don’t really like to care for a plant. Rumor has it the plant got its name because if you put the leaf on your tongue it swells up and you can’t talk. I haven’t tried it, but I haven’t tried putting my tongue on a metal pole in the winter either, so I’ll just trust the experts on this one - it sounds plausible.

Like most good parenting tips, please don’t let your young child just eat this plant because it could be toxic. Same goes for pets. But I have to say our new puppy has taken a bite or two out of our plant and that hasn’t stopped him from going back to the well for another bite.