Tri-Cities projects that proved worthwhile

Maybe once a new project is completed, we just forget about what transpired prior to it in terms of the debates that took place weighing the pros and cons.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned the Fabyan Parkway Bridge on the border of Geneva and Batavia and the Prairie Street Bridge in St. Charles as two projects that turned out quite helpful, but had naysayers along the way. I asked readers to let me know of projects they felt were in this same category of a lot of apprehension, but turning out OK in the long run.

The Batavia Public Library, now a showcase in downtown Batavia, was mentioned.

Many residents were totally against the idea of knocking down the former Batavia High School (and then junior high) building at that site for nostalgic reasons. After all, basketball great Dan Issel was in the last high school class to graduate from there in 1966.

People also thought the building could still be used for educational purposes, but history and nostalgia always play big roles in these debates. In general, many of us hate to see our old school building demolished.

Another reader pointed out The Herrington Inn in Geneva has been a beautiful addition to the Fox River banks in the downtown region, but it didn't come to pass without heated debate about what would happen to a long abandoned Creamery building that had historical significance.

This was a case of compromise, which is always nice if it is an option, as the building became part of the project.

The debate about development projects is always an important part of city or village democracy in action. So don't get the idea that I am saying no one should have ever questioned these projects.

After all, some ill-conceived ideas - like an auto racetrack going in near the DuPage Airport - have been ousted over the years because of resident backlash.

We just have to be careful about protesting so much that a positive change slips through our fingertips.

Another that comes to my mind is the Kane County Cougars, initially seeking a home on land near the Kane County Fairgrounds on the west side of St. Charles. As far as traffic and other factors, it was a good move that those who thought that would be a bad idea convinced county officials to locate the stadium on open land on Geneva's east side, off Kirk Road.

Though I can't recall what the concerns might have been when the idea of merging Delnor Hospital in St. Charles and Community Hospital in Geneva was first presented, it's hard to imagine a better setup for the region than the current campus on Randall Road.

It was another development that fit right in with the fast-paced growth of the region, even though some were concerned about growth, period, and also the nostalgia of losing the hospital buildings in which they or their children were born.

The great and powerful Woodman's:

It was like walking into a marketplace big enough to serve a small country, thus the name Woodman's Market certainly fits.

My wife talked me into going into this huge grocery store in North Aurora and, with eyes wide open, I must have looked like Dorothy when she first spotted the Emerald City.

I didn't run toward the store with the glee Dorothy displayed in her rush to see the Wizard, but I was wondering if there would be a man behind a green curtain welcoming me onto the site.

I was grateful to be with my wife on this trip. Showing up there on my own would result in one of two things, and neither is good - I would have gotten lost and maybe never seen again. Or I would have filled a grocery cart with any number of things that certainly looked good in these massive aisles, but I surely didn't need.

This first visit even brought back some significant memories of my seven years of working for Jewel Food Stores through my high school and community college years.

We were at Woodman's early in the morning, so the overnight stock crew was still on the floor at this 24-hour store frantically filling shelves and tearing up cardboard boxes for recycling.

I did the same thing for years - and it drove me back to college full-time to develop writing and reporting skills. It was just something I thought I might be better at than making sure all of the cereal boxes looked nice and orderly on the shelves.

Still, Woodman's may qualify as my Land of Oz.

Even more skating:

And to think, not that many years ago, residents in the Tri-Cities used to lament the reality that there was no place to ice skate other than spots on a frozen Fox River.

In addition to the Fox Valley Ice Arena along Kirk Road, the park districts continue to have ice rinks available during the cold months, and a new spot will make its debut this winter.

When the Geneva Commons opened its new central courtyard last summer, the mall executives revealed ice skating was definitely going to be one of the winter activities in that location.

This should be a pleasing option, as it seems the music piping into the Commons would go right along with any skating taking place.

A tough goodbye:

For the younger generation that may or may not be reading this column, here's something you may have never heard before: As you get older, some things other than your hair, legs, back or brain may go haywire.

For example, nobody ever told me when I was 20 years old and pretty much living on popcorn in college that in the future I may not be able to eat that stuff.

My urge for popcorn remains high, especially when watching movies at home or in the theater, or a sports event on TV or in person.

But, alas, it has become apparent, in a way I won't describe here, that my body's aging plumbing can no longer tolerate this inexpensive and tasty treat.

Why? I don't really know, other than it apparently is one of life's cruel realities - things don't always work the same as they get older.

So it is, I part with popcorn in such sweet sorrow.

dheun@sbcglobal.net