City Council Recap
Council is considering a request to allow for the operation of a new Romanian Heritage Center on Broadway Street just north of the Cumberland Circle roundabout. The proposal (what’s referred to as a conditional use in the zoning ordinance) calls for combining four vacant spaces into one building. Some Council members asked questions about adequate parking. A representative with the Romanian Heritage Center NFP explained that they will be adding parking spots and also partnering with neighboring properties for overflow parking. Council advanced the item and it will come back for a final vote in the near future.
Other items were routine business.
 Des Plaines Theatre to Open in September
Entertainment, the operator of the newly renovated Des Plaines theatre, recently announced that tickets go on sale for September shows TODAY (Friday, July 9 at noon). Visit desplainestheatre.com for details.
The City is nearly complete with this major renovation. Kudos to our Public Works team for going above and beyond. In case you missed it, you can learn more about this project in the Access Point newsletter which was mailed to residents in May.
Walmart to Close Store on West Golf Road
The City of Des Plaines learned this week that Walmart will close its location at 727 West Golf Road in Des Plaines on Aug. 6. The company stated in its announcement, “Our decision is based on a number of factors, including historic and current financial performance, and is in line with the threshold that guides our strategy to close underperforming locations.” Current employees will have the opportunity to transfer to another Walmart or Sam’s Club in the area.
The City is disappointed to learn this news. Anytime a local business closes its doors, it has a cascading impact on the employees, customers, the community and the local economy. The City will turn its focus to filling this retail space as quickly as possible.
Talkin’ Transportation: Oakton Sidepath
The Oakton Sidepath is one step closer to becoming reality. The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced that Des Plaines will receive $1.9 million to help fund this project that will provide pedestrians and bicyclists safer and more direct access to the Des Plaines River Trail.
Over the course of several years, residents have identified the need for safe connections to the trail. In response, the City included it in its long-term transportation plans and now, this funding will help advance the preliminary engineering to move it forward.
Slow Down, Des Plaines!
Especially during these summer months when kids are out playing, speeding through neighborhoods is not only extremely unsafe – it’s illegal. The Des Plaines Police Department is targeting enforcement of speeders in residential neighborhoods.
Do you know how long it takes you to stop when traveling just 20 or 30 MPH? You may be surprised. Find out in this video with Des Plaines Patrol Officer John Doherty. And, let’s enjoy our summer, safely.
Share this video with your family, friends and neighbors and use the hashtag #SlowDownDesPlaines.
Severe Weather Reminders: Des Plaines Protocols and Watch Vs. Warning
We’ve seen some severe weather come through Des Plaines and our region this summer. The City reminds residents to heed emergency warnings to stay safe. Public safety officials credit the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system and local sirens for saving lives when the tornado hit the western suburbs in June. (Please make sure your mobile phone is enabled to receive emergency alerts and monitor mass media for up-to-date information. View instructions).
It’s important to understand the criteria that triggers our local siren warning system:
- There is a confirmed sighting of a tornado
- There is a confirmed sighting (by a trained weather spotter) of severe winds within 5 miles of our community
- If we are issued a tornado warning by the National Weather Service that indicates our community is in the direct path of an oncoming tornado.
The reason for these strong criteria is to prevent people from ignoring or “tuning out” the warning sirens. Keep in mind, tornado sirens are intended to be heard by people who are outside at the time of a disaster and not inside their homes.
It’s critical to know the difference between a "Watch" & "Warning". A watch has the conditions or "ingredients" to produce the severe weather. A warning means the severe weather is happening right now.
Or more simply put in a Chicago-style way:
Also, no ketchup... 😉
*Image courtesy of the Joliet Police Department.
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