What a difference a year makes in downtown Batavia
The accounting books tell the whole story of downtown Batavia in 2007 for Kirk Jansons.
"In my 17 years here, it was my worst year," said Jansons, who owns Batavia Creamery at 4 N. Island Ave. "It was a longer winter and then there was the bridge construction."
Ah yes, that bridge construction. The pain of a main thoroughfare being torn up finally came to a welcome end this spring. And downtown business owners are hoping to see shoppers venture back onto Wilson Street and beyond.
"It's a heck of a lot better this June, compared to last June," Jansons said. "It's great to see people walking on the bridge, parking their cars on the bridge and just hanging around downtown again."
Jansons said one customer he welcomed back to his ice cream shop said he had not been downtown in more than a year.
Roger Breisch, executive director of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, said it is difficult to gauge the upswing in business since the bridge reopened because it is fairly soon - and the economy continues to struggle. But he is getting positive feedback from businesses, taverns and restaurants.
Breisch felt the construction pain didn't have to cut so deeply, but realizes it was like a double-edged sword.
"It wasn't as bad as people thought it would be," Breisch said. "I was downtown a lot during construction and it wasn't too bad.
"But it wasn't too bad, probably, because many people were staying away."
That is all behind Batavia downtown business owners now, and they're looking forward to some of Britta McKenna's promotions through Batavia Mainstreet taking hold, as well as the development of future community gathering places.
"The bandshell project will be a huge plus," Jansons said. "People love the Riverwalk area and it is just going to get better. Overall, I am very happy about what is going on."
About that band shell: What piece of architecture represents small-town America better than a band shell? That's the thought that crosses my mind when I hear Batavians talk with great pride about the funding drive to build a band shell at the Peg Bond Center.
It comes with a big price tag of $300,000 but supporters have already pulled in a third of that amount and are forging ahead.
This will be a tremendous asset to the Riverwalk setting, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and countless community concerts and other entertainment will unfold for years to come because of this ambitious project.
Some early returns: If Congressman Bill Foster keeps this up, he might find himself representing us for a long time. Foster, a Democrat who won an election last March to fill the rest of Dennis Hastert's term, will have to topple a Republican challenger again in November to keep his seat.
In short order, he's helped restore some critical funding for Fermilab, and he's also pushing for some money to alleviate traffic congestion in downtown St. Charles by getting federal money for traffic signals and turn lanes as part of the First Street project.
If he pulls that rabbit out of his hat, area residents are going to be pleased with that pork barrel.
Learn and save: We remember taking our son and some of his friends on this adventure, probably about 15 years ago.
Today, it has extra meaning - you can save money on gasoline and learn a lot about the history of the region.
Geneva History Center educator Margaret Selakovich is pushing that concept as another great reason for families to participate in the "Passport to Adventure" summer museum program for children ages 4 to 12.
The "passport" is a guide to area museums and nature centers that can be picked up at the Geneva History Center. The program runs until Labor Day.
In addition to the passport guide, which features museums in Kane and DuPage counties, Selakovich said she has also been handing out a separate map outlining eight local museums, for those who don't want to go too far out of the region and spend a ton of money fueling their cars in the process.
Information about the program is available by calling the museum at (630) 232-4951.
Some swing time: Oil those knee joints and hips. Word is the Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles is hosting a swing dance night on Aug. 6 in the Rainbow Room, one of many parties the grand old gal will stage during her 80th anniversary celebration this year.