Monday, May 20, 2013
A 6,000 square foot tent used for weddings, banquets and other events received an 18 month extension from the Des Plaines City Council Monday.
The Des Plaines City Council granted an 18-month extension to Fountain Blue, 2300 Manheim Road, allowing it to continue operating a 6,000 square foot tent that has drawn noise complaints from surrounding residents. Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten said he had recently gone to the area on a Saturday night and did not hear much. "I have to say I went to the parking lot, not even the subdivision, and I did not hear anything," Walsten said. "Now I don't know, I don't have 18-year-old ears anymore, but I didn't hear anything." The tent has been operating for more than two years and drawn numerous noise complaints. Fountain Blue has been cited five times for noise, convictd four times and fined $700, city officials said. The city's zoning board …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Safety at Lee Street and E. Forest Avenue would improve with a new traffic signal, Des Plaines aldermen said.
At the direction of Des Plaines aldermen, public works and engineering workers conducted a traffic volume study at Lee Street and E. Forest Avenue last week. Traffic at the intersection has increased since 2010, the last time the study was done, said Derek Peebles, civil engineer. The data is being prepared to send to the Illinois Department of Transportation with an explanation that the city is interested is a permit for a traffic signal at that intersection, Peebles said. The opening of Boston Fish Market and other new development, and traffic from the Aldi grocery story and Advance Auto Parts store may be contributing to the increase in traffic volume from 2010 to 2013. In the video above, shot between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on May 13, …
Traffic volume data recently collected by the City of Des Plaines indicated the intersection of Lee Street and E. Forest Avenue may qualify for a new traffic signal to be constructed.
The City of Des Plaines is steering toward constructing a new traffic signal. Aldermen voted to direct city staff to complete a traffic count study at the intersection of Lee Street and E. Forest Avenue at a meeting on May 6. Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman said the intersection was in his ward, and he supported a traffic signal to be installed. “I’m very interested in pushing for this for a long time; I think this definitely is needed,” Brookman said. Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten, who was acting Mayor on May 6, said a traffic signal at Lee Street and E. Forest Avenue was necessary. “That’s a very dangerous intersection,” Walsten said. “I’ve seen people backed up four-to-five cars, and somebody’s going to get hurt — I’m telling you …
Eastbound traffic on E. Forest Avenue increased almost 60 percent between 2010 and 2013, according to data collected and analyzed by staff in the City of Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department.
At the direction of Des Plaines aldermen, public works and engineering workers conducted a traffic volume study at Lee Street and E. Forest Avenue last week. Traffic at the intersection has increased since 2010, the last time the study was done, said Derek Peebles, civil engineer. The data is being prepared to send to the Illinois Department of Transportation with an explanation that the city is interested is a permit for a traffic signal at that intersection, Peebles said Now, we want to know what you think. Vote in our poll above and share your thoughts about this issue in the comments section below. Related:
Monday, May 13, 2013
Expanded café, façade construction, a new clock, more in store for the train depot on Miner Street in Des Plaines, according to city documents.
The downtown Des Plaines area will have a new look before the end of the year, and the Metra train depot is included in the comprehensive plan. Des Plaines City Council approved awarding a bid of almost a half-million dollars to remodel the train depot at a meeting on May 6. New doors, windows, an expanded café area, a clock in the center, changes to the façade and more are planned for the Metra depot, according to city documents. The work will be completed this construction season, by the fall, in conjunction with the extensive streetscape construction currently underway in the downtown area, said Michael Bartholomew, city manager, in an interview with Patch. “I think this is an exciting space,” Bartholomew said. “When you go up and down …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz spoke about what he has learned from other city council members after being sworn into office on Monday.
Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz began his four-year term after being sworn in before a standing-room-only crowd at city hall on Monday. Bogusz thanked his family, friends and supporters, and spoke about some of what he learned working with other city council members. “We all are a collection, a combination of the experiences we’ve had and the lessons we’ve learned from each other,” Bogusz said. “And I’ve learned a lot from the people I’ve worked with.” Click on the video above to see Bogusz speak about learning from Des Plaines city council members. First Ward Alderman Patricia Haugeberg, Third Ward Alderman Denise Rodd, Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman, Seventh Ward Alderman Joanna Sojka and City Clerk Gloria Ludwig were also sworn into …
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Plans for Elite Training and Fitness to open a gym in downtown Des Plaines are underway, Michael Bartholomew, city manager, told city council members at a meeting on Monday.
A new gym is moving into Metropolitan Square in downtown Des Plaines, Michael Bartholomew told city council members at a meeting on Monday. Elite Training and Fitness, based in Elk Grove Village, is going to open in the space formerly occupied by World Gym, Spa di da… and Coldstone Creamery on Market Street, Bartholomew said. The business has a projected opening date of Sept. 1, Bartholomew said. “That’s great; I must’ve put on 15 pounds since [World Gym] closed,” acting Mayor Mark Walsten said. Bartholomew told city council members that Alex Dambach, director of community and economic development, and he have a meeting scheduled with the owners of Metropolitan Square next week. “We’re going to sit down and we’re going to talk about the …
Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten was appointed acting mayor of Des Plaines by city council on Monday.
Des Plaines aldermen appointed Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten acting Mayor of Des Plaines at a meeting on Monday. Walsten is the fourth city council member to fill the vacancy left by former mayor and now state Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) since January. Walsten will serve in the office until Mayor-elect Matt Bogusz is sworn in on May 6. City council voted 5-1 to appoint Walsten. Seventh Ward Alderman Dan Wilson voted “present,” Third Ward Alderman and Mayor-elect Matt Bogusz arrived several minutes after the vote was taken. Second Ward Alderman John Robinson voted against Walsten’s appointment. “I feel like I was left out of the picking of the next mayor, and I don’t feel it’s right to myself and my constituents,” Robinson said. …
Monday, April 15, 2013
Fourth Ward Alderman Dick Sayad has served as acting mayor since February. Des Plaines City Council is scheduled to consider appointing a new acting mayor on Monday.
Des Plaines may have another temporary mayor after tonight’s city council meeting, according to the public agenda. Consideration of selecting an acting mayor is planned to occur before the closed session portion of the meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday. Fourth Ward Alderman Dick Sayad has served as acting mayor since February 19. Prior to that, First Ward Alderman Patricia Haugeberg and Eighth Ward Alderman Michael Charewicz served as acting mayor to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) when he resigned on Dec. 31. The Des Plaines Journal reported Sixth Ward Alderman and former mayoral candidate Mark Walsten may be appointed acting mayor by city council. A message left for Walsten was not immediately returned at publication…
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Des Plaines city council approved a plan to contract the same event promoter as last year, amid concerns expressed by aldermen, the Daily Herald reported.
It appears the Summer Fling will return to downtown Des Plaines this year, as city council voted in favor of contracting the same company to run the event as last year, the Daily Herald reported. Several aldermen expressed reservations about using the same event promoter, the Daily Herald reported, but with such a small amount of time to prepare, endorsed the plan. At Des Plaines Summer Fling in 2012 David Cassidy performed for thousands packed in front of the Des Plaines Public Library and the strip mall across from the Des Plaines Theatre. A Led Zepplin cover band, Led Zepplin 2, performed at Des Plaines Summer Fling in 2011, where Patch caught a rare glimpse of a Mexican wrestler, Lucha Libre, and the character Stewie from the animated …
Teri Collins
5:29 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Light is good idea. Traffic volume has significantly increased. more ›