Think outside the 'big box,' Wheaton

These 50-year rains seem to be happening quite frequently. When those rains happen, Wheaton's South Main Street seems to flood. Instead of putting a big box store at Main and Roosevelt where the decommissioned middle school is, the Wheaton City Council needs to consider converting that whole area into a park with some deep, large retention ponds.

Besides being able to help solve the chronic flood water issues, such a park would add charm and beauty. Converting that area to a big box retailer could worsen the flooding problem and would cheapen the gateway to downtown Wheaton.

Long ago, the city council wisely decided to stop the planned development of a flood-prone area on the Northwest side of Wheaton and instead convert it to the Lincoln Marsh. It's time for the current city council to think outside the "big box" by solving the water problem converting that Main and Roosevelt to a nice park that would help solve the flooding problems

Daniel C. Pearson

Wheaton