Crest Hill OKs new sidewalk
By Erin Biesen For The Herald-News October 5, 2012 9:12AM
Updated: November 9, 2012 6:06AM
CREST HILL — Streets Superintendent Brent Cann presented the Crest Hill City Council with three sidewalk options that would allow residents to walk safely from Willow Circle Drive to the new El Guero grocery store.
The first option is sidewalk along Knapp Drive from Willow Circle Drive south to the driveway entrance of El Guero.
The second option would be option one plus 140 feet of sidewalk on the backside of the entrance curb of El Guero.
Finally, the third option includes options one and two as well as sidewalk from Willow Circle Drive all the way to Theodore Street.
Paula Skiotes, president of the Willow Falls Townhome Association, was concerned for the safety of residents.
“The biggest safety issue is Knapp Drive, it’s not so much going from the drive up to the store,” she said. She recommended going with the first option.
It was then requested that the issue be tabled for the following meeting when Ward 2 Alderwoman Claudia Gazal could be there to discuss the matter.
City Administrator John Tomasoski said Gazal contacted his office earlier in the day to discuss the matter.
“She wants to work with all the people in the city and in her ward, however, her concern was that there are other places in the city that need additional sidewalks now. She would like the issue tabled until the next work session so they could talk about a long-term sidewalk program,” Tomasoski said.
Council members agreed a long-term sidewalk plan is needed, however, there is a larger safety concern for residents who will walk to the grocery store when it opens in one month.
“I will vote yes on this but I would suggest we put this back onto our agenda when we do our budget in the spring so we can incorporate this into a long-term plan,” Ward 4 Alderman Charles Convery said.
Cann said the company completing the project would be in the area the next few weeks and would be able to complete the project in one day, if the council voted on it that evening.
Ward 3 Alderman Neal Sternisha felt that if the project could be completed in one day the council could table the issue until Gazal was able to vote on the matter.
Ward 1 Alderman John Vershay agreed.
“When that grocery store opens they will start walking. I want to be sure it is there. Safety is the issue. I’m sure the residents of Willow Falls feel the same way,” Convery said.
The motion passed allowing for the installation of sidewalk along Knapp Drive from Willow Circle Drive to the driveway entrance of El Guero.
