Sub-area Planning by the city. The city’s Master Land-use Plan contains base assumptions for applying zoning standards on specific land plats throughout the city; included are several sub-area planning areas in which economic development is expected to occur; consultants have been hired to aid the city in developing realistic plans; all plans will remain on the shelf pending revival of the real estate investment market.
River clean-up progress report. Physical site work is on hold due to bankruptcy of company (Tronox) paying for the clean-up; planning work continues; 2009 phase will be moved to 2010 and runs from Butterfield Rd. bridge to Warrenville Grove Dam; the following phase runs from Warrenville Grove Dam to McDowell Woods Forest Preserve; both phases may be combined in a final, 2010 project push; if Tronox Corporation escapes its court-ordered river cleanup responsibility, the city, county and state may seek other resources to pay for completion of the project
Arts development. City funds the Tourism and Arts Commission (TAC) with Hotel/Motel Tax funds. Purpose of TAC is to increase tourism (keep the area hotels full) and support the arts; an outgrowth of TAC’s work is the creation of the Warrenville Arts Council by other volunteers; their mission is to nurture and develop the arts and artists in Warrenville. Partnering with artists, art organizations and funding resources, WAC will help produce programs, events, and exhibits.
Economic development. Underpinning the local economy are private employers, corporations, services, and organizations; helping them stay healthy are the city and chamber of commerce; working and planning for a successful local economy is a constant task of the entire community; a growing sector is medical services most recently expanded by the continued construction of the Proton Beam treatment facility and the new Central DuPage Hospital Oncology Center, plus two new hotels in Cantera that are nearing completion.
Tourism development. With four healthy hotels currently in operation and two more under construction, the business and travel industries have a presence in Warrenville; restaurants and office complexes added to the mix sustains both the hotels and these eateries; adding other attractions to further boost travel to the area takes commitment and planning; the Tourism and Arts Commission provides funding grants for this purpose; natural attractions continues to require promotion to attract more people to the area.
Managing community change. Change constantly surrounds our community; some is good, some bad; much is uncomfortable. Making the best of change is the real challenge. Some change is beneficial far beyond its cost; some changes we attract while others we avoid; the city plans for change on a continuous basis.
Church news. A dynamic element of the city, churches have worked together for generations to bring well-being to the community; their teamwork brought us the Warrenville Youth and Family Services as well as numerous programs and support services; a religious news column reports on church activities
Housing market pulse. The paper reports homes sold recently and provides periodic professional commentaries on the state of the real estate market as it relates to Warrenville.
Environmental issues and the city’s status. How ecologically friendly are we as a community? Do we provide means to preserve our planet, at least the portion we call home? Much to report and we have a corps of writers to cover the various aspects of this topic.
Volunteer opportunities. A healthy community is as strong as the well-being of its people; relying on one another in many ways makes us stronger; volunteer opportunities abound and will be reported for your participation.
Roadwork; plans and progress. Each year the city repairs or rebuilds a portion of its roadways; reporting progress on those plans is our job; also major regional road projects affect our quality of life, and those are reported as well.
Regional Planning issues. (several agencies of county, state, regional and national significance have plans that affect our lives).
Long-term future of FermiLab. This economic engine in our backyard cannot be taken for granted; it relies on federal funding to support our nation’s scientific advancement; how secure is that funding? Short term FermiLab is safe; long-term opportunities exist, but threats do as well.
Eola Rd. extension thru FermiLab. The county has repeatedly planned to extend Eola Rd through FermiLab; this is not favored by many Warrenville residents who label it as a dirty, noisy and otherwise disturbing intrusion, claiming also that the extended road would threaten FermiLab’s ability to perform its scientific mission.
StarLine Commuter Rail project. This regional project will provide a light rail commuter line encircling the Chicago metropolitan area; it would use much of the rail path of the EJ&E Railroad now owned by Canadian National Railway; is this project dead due to the CN purchase of the EJ&E? And what about keeping CN’s promises post-merger?
Fitness and Health opportunities. We are blessed with health and fitness assets in our community; some are public, others private, many are specialized. There is much to report on continually
Flood Management issues. The consulting report is in and the city council is not pleased with the results. More work remains to be done, and the county is doing its own update to its database. Will combining county and city reports strengthen storm water management? That is an unknown at this time. We do know that 2008-09 was the wettest period in 50 years; how well did our systems protect citizens and property during this time? Who is responsible for which interconnected elements of our storm water management system? What are the short and long views of this issue?
Forest Preserve developments. A positive force in our community, the forest preserve district is a public agency few understand; this may be caused by incomplete communications with the public on plans that will affect local people. The Mack Rd. fleet maintenance facility is the latest chapter in which citizens had wished for more transparency of the decision-making process. We will continue to cover these issues, many of which promise to be in the spotlight during what looks to be a hotly contested election next year. Meanwhile a new archery facility at Blackwell continues to move forward, as do new amenities centered on both the river and Cenacle property.
School district activities. Issues continually arise involving our schools and our children. Behind us lies the fight over the creation of the new Hubble School and the Supreme Court case involving the superintendent’s salary. On the burner at present is a flurry of District 200 special meetings, from which little has yet to be gleaned. The Village Chronicles recognizes the myriad accomplishments and outstanding characteristics of our school district, yet will continue to seek transparency and report on problems and controversial issues if and when they become apparent.
