Villa Street Improvement - Finally

A construction warning sign went up indicating that resurfacing of Villa Street from Lake Street to Willard Avenue will begin on May 8.

Villa Street is a main access route directly into Downtown Elgin (at one time, it was US 20, then Business Route US 20 until it was stripped of the designation). It is probably, of all the main streets in Elgin, in the worst condition. The construction will undoubtedly create some traffic headaches, but it will be worth it in the end.

The project was made possible from revenue via the recently increased sales tax within the city. Currently a four lane street, it will be converted to three wider lanes, consisting of a center turn lane and one through lane in each direction. Bike lanes have also been recommended, consistent with the city's master plan.

Spring Street Maintenance - Things to Come

A hole was dug for some sort of maintenance on Spring Street just north of Symphony Way. No warning before coming upon it.

It is just a portent of things to come soon, however. The next phase of the Central Business District Streetscape Project is set to begin soon, including this section of Spring.

Chooch - y - Chooch - y - Choo

This guy was spotted hanging from the scaffolding over the middle of South Grove Avenue today ready to pounce on somebody.

Actually, he was apparently put there to draw attention to the fact that work is being done at 64 South Grove Avenue for the new Chooch's Pizzeria.

Long planned, there were delays due to facade improvement and energy updating grants, as well as state grants for the planned reconstruction of the riverfront. The project is finally moving forward. A definite opening date hasn't been set.

One of the most interesting aspects of the project is a rear patio along Riverside Drive.

With the demolition of the crumbling old parking deck over the river and the construction of the new river walk, the owners are hoping to take advantage of outdoor seating overlooking the Fox River. It is said to be the first outdoor restaurant seating on the river in over 75 years.

Hopefully, they will have figured out how to battle the river moths and gnats at the height of summer by then.  Either that, or offer them as an exotic topping.

Summit Street - It's Getting There!

A few weeks ago, what was officially dubbed as the "Center and Seneca Street Rehabilitation Project" started, but it should have been called the "Screwing Up the Main Access to The North End via Summit Street Project" instead.

Just north of Downtown Elgin, this is a narrow but pivotal route in and out of the neighborhood, and virtually part of a gateway route to the Center City area.

Included in the project was storm sewer and and replacement. It has turned into a minefield. Suffice it to say that it appears progress is being made. New curbs were poured this week. Given the lack of street parking in this area, I feel sorry for everyone whose driveway approaches are no longer there.

Many people have taken great pains to avoid Summit Street in the meantime, including yours truly. It is apparent that everyone else is doing what I have, and using alternate streets. The ruts are unbelievable.

According to the city's website, it is scheduled for a June 1 completion date. It won't happen soon enough. Nonetheless, progress is being made.

McDonalds: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

HERE TODAY

GONE TOMORROW

The McDonalds Restaurant #80, at 401 Summit Street, a location long considered to be the northeast gateway to Downtown Elgin, and a staple to the east side of Elgin for decades, suddenly vanished last week.

Never fear, hamburger aficionados.  The old restaurant is being replaced by a newer, larger building.  The old one, franchised by the Bearco chain, is one of the oldest continuously running restaurants in the McDonalds chain.  The original core of the building was one of the original drive-in/walk-up styles with the golden arches towering out of the structure.  It has been covered and rebuilt many times, but has finally outlived it usability.

The new restaurant is estimated to reopen in July.

Upcoming Contruction - Headaches Coming

Downtown stakeholders and interested residents are invited to attend a meeting regarding construction projects happening in and around downtown in 2012, including:

• Riverside Drive Promenade (the crumbling current parking deck will be torn out and replaced by a promenade-style river walk alongside Riverside Drive.)
• Downtown Streetscape Phase V (Spring Street north of Highland and several adjacent streets will be completely torn up and rebuilt in the next phase of the downtown street and sidewalk improvement.)
• Kimball Street Bridge Resurfacing (this has been needed for quite some time, with the surface being so bumpy, but it is going to really clog traffic in the meantime.  It is bad under normal conditions.)
• Elgin Artspace Lofts (previously mentioned and document here, this really hasn't taken much of a toll of getting around - yet.)

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10 from 6:30-8:30PM at The Centre, 100 Symphony Way in downtown Elgin. 



Please RSVP ONLINE to attend or call(847) 488-1456.