Algonquin hosts symbolic start to Longmeadow Parkway construction

The bulldozers that will make the Longmeadow Parkway in Kane County a reality are still silent. But local officials filled that void Monday by gathering on a shallow patch of dirt outside Algonquin village hall to mark the symbolic start to a project that is more controversial in the final year of its planning than it was in the 30 years of its conception.

The parkway will bring a new crossing over the Fox River in the northern portion of the county. The nearly six-mile, four-lane road will run along more than 1,000 acres of industrial parks and redevelopment space that community leaders hope the parkway will fill with new rooftops and industrial and commercial tenants.

"Commerce, we have very little," Algonquin Village President John Schmitt said. "There are 1,200 acres of industrial park between Carpentersville, Huntley and Algonquin that are right along the path of Longmeadow Parkway. We've already had interest in Algonquin just based on showing (businesses) the plans."

Opponents are more concerned about the homes near the parkway and the project bisecting the Brunner Family Forest Preserve. Their attention is on the referendum question on Dundee Township ballots next month. The question seeks voter opposition of the parkway. But many people feel the referendum's outcome is as much of a done deal as the parkway itself.

Even supporters of the parkway expect there will be more "yes" votes than "no" ballots cast on the question based on wording in the question that suggests the parkway will have numerous negative effects to homeowners and the environment. The nonbinding nature of the referendum is expected to result in little impact on the project moving forward unless opponents can get some of their own elected to the Kane County Board.

CURB Longmeadow member Laura Brehmer said the timing of Monday's groundbreaking was designed to keep dissenting voices from showing up and making opponents believe their efforts are in vain.

"It's like taunting the homeowners who asked for their help," Brehmer said in a statement. "Not only did Algonquin officials turn their backs on taxpayers, they now are staging a cheap and secretive in-your-face event aimed at discouraging residents from voting in a March 15 referendum on the Longmeadow Parkway."

The opposition to the project was mentioned by several politicians. Schmitt said the opposition group is small and "being misled" into thinking the parkway will damage their property values or cause their taxes to go up.

"Longmeadow Parkway is going to be a benefit for everybody," he said.

Carpentersville Village President Ed Ritter went a step further, saying many opponents will call for expansion of the parkway 10 years from now when they see the benefits to traffic and the local economy.

"I feel bad for the people that are against the bridge," Ritter said. "I understand the concept of present and right now versus future. It's always hard to say the future will be better if we do this. I'm totally convinced the future, for Carpentersville especially, will be better when this bridge is done. Hundreds of acres in the west part of Carpentersville will be new houses and businesses."

Kane County awarded construction contracts for the non-tollway portion of the project in Algonquin in January. Actual construction is expected to begin this spring and carry through the summer.

The county board must still take an official vote to set the toll for the bridge over the Fox River. County officials are trying to rake in as much state and federal funding as possible, as well as lower the cost of construction, to keep the toll low.