Business keeps growing in McHenry County
Who said development is slowing down in McHenry County?
If you've been paying attention, there have been plenty of businesses that have opened their doors or been approved in the past month.
The biggest news has been in Huntley. Centegra's medical care campus, which will include doctor's offices, urgent care and a fitness center, is one step away from final approval.
Meanwhile, two big box stores and the shopping centers they will anchor have been approved -- Home Depot and the Huntley Crossings plaza and most recently Wal-Mart and the Huntley Grove plaza.
That's not to say retailers have been avoiding Algonquin. Perhaps you've noticed that Best Buy is now open in the Galleria plaza. The village announced last week that La-Z-Boy will join two other furniture stores in the Galleria.
And Algonquin Commons, also on Randall Road, recently saw the opening of the Limited Too.
The new or imminent development hasn't been limited to retailers, either. The Huntley village board last week took its first peek at a residential project that aims to provide affordable living for seniors.
Does that sound like a lull on the development front? You tell me.
Breaking (muddy) ground:
If you attended the official groundbreakings for the Home Depot and Centegra Health System last week, I hope you brought your galoshes and an umbrella.
The morning gigs were clouded by, well, clouds.
But despite the rain and slippery earth, I'm told the events came off well.
The Home Depot groundbreaking was brief, but Centegra's was elaborate, with a guest list that included officials from Huntley, Lakewood, Lake in the Hills and Algonquin Township.
During the Centegra event, community members contributed items to a time capsule, including an autographed baseball from the Lake in the Hills Athletic Association, a key to the City of Crystal Lake, high school yearbooks and a Huntley Police badge.
Wasn't there room for one of my stories, maybe announcing the approval of the medical campus? I guess you can't have everything.
It will be jarring to open the capsule 50 years from now to discover all of the quaint items Americans used all those years ago: baseballs, keys, police badges.
I'm just teasing. I wish Centegra the best of luck as the health system builds out its campus and establishes a presence in Huntley.
Trouble follows reporter:
I had a close call when I walked into Huntley's village hall for a board meeting the other day.
When I opened the door, the metal box above the door came crashing down, nearly hitting the hapless reporter underneath.
The next time you go to village hall, look at the door on the left-hand side. The yellow caution tape across the door is a sign of my handiwork.
Who said I wasn't causing enough trouble in Huntley?