Project would ruin view on Riverwalk
It is troubling that there has been virtually no coverage by the Daily Herald on how the proposed Water Street redevelopment could forever change the face of the Riverwalk. As will be reviewed by the Naperville City Council tonight, it includes buildings 60 feet tall within 30 feet of the river's edge, a stone's throw from city hall. That is taller than the Van Buren parking deck, Main Street Promenade and Barnes and Noble downtown, and even the Moser Building at Water and Main.
Imagine a building taller than the Riverplace Condominiums facing the DuPage River, 30 feet away. Unless the city council votes this down, that will be reality within the year. And the precedent will be set for similar buildings eastward to where the Walgreens parking lot is now, and even on the east side of Washington, all at water's edge.
The Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation actually has more information about this project on their site www.napervillehomeowners.com than the city does, including a PDF download of detailed site plans of the project. One look demonstrates how the proposed buildings will dwarf the existing Naperville Township building (drawing PC-9) and their proximity to the Riverwalk (PC-5), Naperville's crown jewel. And note their size compared to the pedestrian on the river at the bottom of the steps in PC-13 as viewed from across the river. Then there is the view of the proposed parking garage from Aurora Avenue (PC-19), a view that can only be blocked by yet more tall buildings along Aurora.
I would urge all residents to view these drawings on the confederation site, as well as the committee report available there addressing various other issues with the project. Only the City Council can stop this project from despoiling the view on the Riverwalk. I would urge all residents of Naperville to immediately contact council members to urge them to protect the integrity of the Riverwalk for generations to come. Better yet, come to the council meeting Tuesday night to express your opposition to this project, as proposed. Once the decision is made, it cannot be reversed.
Bruce Lund
Naperville