Oh Daily Herald! Why doth thee trouble me so?
After publishing a nice article about the two “Project of the Year” awards won by the Village of Carpentersville’s Public Works Department for efforts in reconstructing the Main Street Bridge and a portion of Sleepy Hollow Road, they jumped up on their “soapbox” and said “We’re guessing Carpentersville residents and their neighbors weren’t all that impressed…“
Well, some of us were.
But, the Daily Herald is probably just saying that most people are self-involved and don’t typically know all that goes into doing such a project. And, people probably don’t think much about it as they drive over it every day. At least I hope the Herald didn’t intend it in the negative way that it sounded.
However, the Bridge is very nice …
The extra-wide sidewalk on the south side of the street …
… and the antique-look lamp posts that were installed are very nice.
Plus, with the additional rehab work that Otto Engineering has done …
The whole area looks great and should be considered one of the jewels of Carpentersville.
Overall, a very nice look for the entry into the Old Town District of the Village of Carpentersville. One that I’m sure residents and others driving through the area appreciate and are impressed with, as well as one that all involved in making it that way can be extremely proud of. (Although it would have been nice if the sun was not hiding behind the clouds for these pictures.)
12 comments
Jan 12, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Bill Sarto
Chrysippus,
Good for you for taking the time to point out how good this area does look. I truly appreciate you taking time out of your life to take some pictures of this project.
I agree, this is a jewel of our Village. I can’t wait for the opening of the Village Fresh Market on the East side that too will be a welcome improvement that is much needed.
What the Daily Herald failed to mention is that the old Main Street bridge was 78 years old and had to be replaced. Yes, it was an inconvenience while the bridge was out and under construction, but that is a necessary part of life. Would the Daily Herald have preferred to have had the bridge collapse? I don’t think so. It was an inconvenience when Rt. 72 was under construction too. But that also is much improved. All road construction is an inconvenience while it’s underway. It seems that the Daily Herald does go out of their way to criticize Carpentersville.
Jan 12, 2008 at 7:27 pm
James
The pics look nice, and from what I have always heard, you want the sun behind some clouds instead of completely shining, so outside pics don’t look washed out.
I’ve had the pleasure of touring through some of OTTO, and I have to say, it’s as beautiful on the inside as what you see from the road.
I live between the Fresh Market and Main Street Bridge, so both have/will have a major impact on my quality of life. Now, if we could ever have some restaurants and little stores like the 72/Fox River area, that would be amazing! What’s a guy gotta do to get a little pub like Emmett’s to move in?
Jan 12, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Anonymous
Would be a hell a lot better if you put the WHOLE paragraph on this “supposedly” informative site, instead just enough to get YOUR point across!
Are people supposed to get a chill down their back at the mention of the “Fox Valley branch of the American Public Works Association” awarding the project? I don’t think so! An award when the replacement of the bridge, like everything in Illinois, was twenty years to late, does not impress me either. It looks like a grand job of patting each other on the back for a job FINALLY finished.
“We’re guessing Carpentersville residents and their neighbors weren’t all that impressed when the Main Street bridge renovations that turned travel into a nightmare for six months in 2006 was named Project of the Year by the Fox Valley branch of the American Public Works Association. Recognition of the $3.2 million bridge/water project is nice enough. But we suspect area drivers were far more thrilled when the repairs were done and the bridge re-opened.”
Jan 12, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Chrysippus
I link to the article for the express purpose of people being able to read it in its entirety. Posting the entire article would be a violation of copyright. Regardless, the negative viewpoint — refusal to let Carpentersville have a moment in the sun — is no different when one reads the entire article.
And, perhaps you missed the point … the award was not for a job done. It was for a job well done.
While you’re very quick to criticize the aesthetics and architecture of the bridge, were this not the quality job that it is, you’d find fault with that too. Seems like there are always those who will complain no matter what.
But as I said, there are likely many others such as myself who, on our first drive through the area once the bridge reopened, gave a very big “Wow! This looks nice!”
In Carpentersville … yes, that’s impressive.
Jan 14, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Bill Sarto
Looking at these pictures there is something missing. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some seasonal banners on those street light poles. Other communities half our size have them. I will do my best to make sure that we have them for this coming year. This may be something that the Beautification Committee could help find some funding. Also I hope that many people noticed that we did have some very nice holiday wreaths on the bridge this year. That was due in large part to the work of our Public Works Director and other staff who made them. Bob Cole, our Public Works Director, hung them himself in the rain. I know because I saw him putting them up up on a rainy day just after Thanksgiving. Thanks again to our Public works department for the second year now having a lighted holiday tree at the Southeast corner of Carpenter Park.
The little things like street banners and new entryway signs and holiday decorations do make a difference in the image of a town. It says you care enough to do the small things that bring a bit of beauty to the community.
Government should never be just about pinching pennies. It should be about adding to the community spirit. How a community looks says a lot about the people who live there.
Jan 18, 2008 at 9:48 am
Chrysippus
The comments of “Anonymous” are interesting, based on various reading that I’ve been doing lately …
“Anonymous” mentions that “the replacement of the bridge … was twenty years to [sic] late”.
The point is valid. It did take too long to replace the bridge. It also took too long to do something about the failed audits when the Village was in a financial mess. It took too long to concentrate energy and funds on fixing the streets, sidewalks and sewers.
Those that were part of those past, “drag your feet”, administrations should have been held accountable.
Unfortunately, people put at least one back in office (who appears to be colluding with at least one other) based on another issue that nothing is being/can be done about.
Jan 19, 2008 at 3:09 pm
dave
What is going on with that Fresh Market? There is a sign outside of it that says for lease? This was supposed to be finished in August. It is taking forever for them to complete that store, to me it seems like they are stalling. Let me know if you guys know anything.
Jan 19, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Chrysippus
The Fresh Market will open by sometime in the early Spring … probably no later than the March time frame.
The “For Lease” sign is for a portion of the building that is not being used by the store.
In this “Monday Grab Bag” posting from December 10th, I note the following information that I received from Janice Murphy …
Jan 19, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Bill Sarto
Dave,
I’m not sure where you heard that the Village Fresh Market would open in August.
The earliest I had been told it would possibly open was at the end of November, just before Christmas. That date changed however due to the proprietor having done this store the right way. He has literally put millions of dollars into this location. It will be a very nice store.
The space for lease is 12,000 square feet and that is what is left after The Village Fresh Market opens sometime soon. That additional space should fill rather quickly based on the expected traffic that will be generated by the new Fresh Market. Good things keep happening in Carpentersville. Much more is on the way.
Jan 24, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Melanie
Great job Carpentersville!
I’m so happy we’re having a grocery store in town; it’s the best thing that has happened yet. That whole area is looking pretty good! I just wish there were more things done on the streets like more light and better roads.
Peace
Jan 24, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Chrysippus
I know that I’m pretty confident that they will get to your section of town — perhaps this season. Last year was touted as having achieved some of the most extensive road repair in decades.
I agree that there are some sections of town that could stand more lighting — the Indian section being one.
Jan 25, 2008 at 1:03 am
Bill Sarto
Melanie,
I’ve met with both our State Senator Michael Noland and our State Representative Ruth Munson in the past couple of days and I’ve been told that new street lighting is on the way for Carpentersville.
This of course is greatly needed in many areas on our East side of town. So, good things are happening and there are much more to come. Better lighting of course is a big deterent to crime and it also provides a level of comfort to those residents who live in these dark, poorly lit neighborhoods.
My purpose in meeting with our state legislators is to pitch some ideas for us to get more help from our state government. I believe that both Senator Noland and Representative Munson were receptive to my thoughts and offered some good ideas of their own. It often takes the cooporation of local, county, state and federal government working together to get the job done. I as the mayor of Carpentersville have been meeting with our elected officals to bring about needed improvements for our entire community.