McKee Marsh poor choice for fleet site

I live in Missouri but work part-time in DuPage County; I am interested in local news. One item that I have been following is the DuPage Forest Preserve District's plan to build a Fleet Maintenance Campus near the McKee Marsh.

I have reviewed the forest preserve's published site plans and find them to be less than ideal. The McKee Marsh site has no water and sewer service. It is accessible only by a two-lane township road. Since this is a fleet maintenance facility, good road access should be the primary consideration of proper location. Additionally, the proposed site is in an area zoned residential. No business would be allowed to build such a building in this location! And, as anyone who walks the trail there can tell you, the area is wet.

I understand this project at this site has been planned for 20 years; money has already been spent on developing plans. It is tempting to throw good money after bad by refusing to consider new locations. But this project at this location simply does not make sense. Especially considering that more suitable sites already exist.

The forest preserve owns land on both sides of Naperville Road. This land is accessible by four lane highways designed for heavy traffic, is zoned for business, has water and sewer nearby, has room for expansion and is not located in a residential area. Additional potential sites do exist if the board would consider the long-term benefits of a proper decision.

The question to consider now is one of legacy: Will this board be future-minded enough to find a new site? Or will they be remembered for going ahead on a project that will ultimately cost millions of taxpayer dollars on a mistaken location?

Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg

Naperville