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Heun: What's next for Siemens land in Batavia?

Neighbors of the abandoned Siemens property at McKee Street in Batavia must be tired of looking at the empty, unsightly plot of asphalt and rocks that used to be the Siemens factory.

The property has been vacant since 2006, and the building was demolished more than five years ago.

The city is in the midst of a legal squabble with Siemens Real Estate Americas, asking that the place be cleaned up, including its contaminated soil. It boils down to a battle over code violations, all being heard in court.

But what happens to it in the future?

About 10 years ago, city officials met with neighbors to establish what might be best for that land, said Joel Strassman, planning and zoning officer for city of Batavia.

Since then, the city has zoned it for mixed use, meaning it can have a combination of residential and commercial.

I had visions of a new park district fitness center, since other attempts to consider such a facility at Quarry Park or on Island Avenue never had community support.

But the park district long ago pondered the Siemens parcel and determined it wasn't a good fit, Strassman said.

"The city has not received any development applications on that property, going back to when the (Siemens) building first came down," Strassman added.

Left to our own ideas then, what would be good for the corner, other than a mix of homes, townhouses or offices? Probably not a whole lot, considering something new has to fit in with nearby homes and HC Storm Elementary School.

Does the school district need more office space? Can the park district rethink this and maybe develop a park? Does the school need room for driver's education classes?

It's an odd equation to figure out, but it's all hamstrung at the moment because Siemens can't seem to figure out the best approach to a long-needed cleanup.

The Bend is open

After reporting last week that The Bend General Store in downtown St. Charles would open soon, turns out it opened before my column was in print.

"We had our soft opening Oct. 30 and are doing our ribbon cutting with the mayor on Friday (Nov. 7)," owner Tony Schaufler said last week. "It's been phenomenal, and the feedback has been excellent."

A few patrons have been coming regularly already, taking advantage of the store's imported goods and selection of Italian sauces, pastas, oils and vinegars, Schaufler said.

"You can stock your kitchen up and really make some amazing stuff," he added.

The store, at 320 W. Main St., also offers deli sandwiches and boxed lunches, along with full line of products for consuming wine.

Going to the dogs

It was probably a pipe dream to think a nice restaurant could once again open on the site of the former Rex's Cork 'n Fork on the east side of St. Charles.

Instead, the city now has a pet boarding spot in Fydoland at that 1317 E. Main St. site. Fydoland opened in late October.

We do love our pets, so it's not a bad thing that another business is offering grooming, training, doggy day care and overnight boarding.

There seems to be a trend toward more dog grooming places. I have mentioned Clean as a Whisker opening soon in downtown St. Charles, and we have been anxious for the opening of Just For Paws in Campton Square because our dog's groomer, John Webb, has started his own business in that location.

Marines and toys

Colonial Café restaurants are getting the Toys for Tots season off to a patriotic start.

The Colonials on the east and west side of St. Charles will be among the company's Fox Valley locations that will host U.S. Marines from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to help the Marines' annual toy drive.

The Marines will be on hand to collect toys and cash donations for Toys for Tots on Tuesday, but the drive continues at the restaurants through Dec. 24.

A belly treat

My first visit to Nobel House in downtown Geneva did not disappoint. This casual restaurant/bar setting has a great menu, especially if the "Belly Melt" sandwich was any indication.

The pulled pork sandwich with jicama apple slaw and melted cheese on toasted bread was quite tasty. This had to be my first taste of jicama, a Mexican vegetable. The house fries were an excellent side, though my friend went with the highly regarded mac and cheese, which he said was terrific.

Just something crazy

This is crazy: We actually took our dog for an afternoon walk in Wheeler Park in Geneva during high winds and freezing weather.

This is crazier: One lone disc golfer was out there braving the winds, which apparently took his yellow disc way off course and landed it somewhere amid … tons of yellow leaves. When we left, he still had no idea where it was.

No Bears torture

With the Bears playing Sunday night, it leaves another Sunday afternoon open to do things that we might otherwise foolishly let slip by in order to watch our bumbling pro football team.

Looking for something different? Acoustic guitarist Jim Green will be playing at 2 p.m. at the St. Charles Public Library as part of its Sunday concert series.

This fellow is a 2004 Guitar Idol champion, plus Billboard Magazine in the past tabbed him as one of the best independent guitarists in the Midwest.

dheun@sbcglobal.net

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