Palatine rocks in its new downtown streetscape

Downtown Palatine rocked Saturday as the village celebrated the completion of the first phase of its downtown street and infrastructure improvements.

Summerlike weather greeted visitors as Palatine’s grand reopening of the area met its goal of advertising the downtown as a dining destination.

The affair had the flavor of a big block party, as visitors soaked up live music while enjoying food and drink from nearby establishments.

Some stood in the parking lot. Others settled into camp chairs or sat at picnic tables. Several filled the new patio area along Slade Street under canopies of cafe lights.

The area along the newly paved street was decked out with strings of overhead lights and embellished with freshly mulched planting beds, new brick pavers and lampposts strung with globe lights.

“It’s nice to have a hometown that is such a hometown that they throw a party when construction is finished,” Palatine resident Jim Brandt said.

The improvements ran along the south side of the Union Pacific Northwest train line, and Palatine resident Jason Georgi noted other communities creating similar destinations along the line.

“I think the fact that Palatine’s doing it now is a good thing,” he said, adding that the village should continue the effort along the other side of the tracks.

Tim Hobscheid was there with his family, including a sleeping two-year-old son he was holding as he was seated in the patio area on Slade Street.

He said he visits downtown often.

“But I think we’re more likely to stay down here in this area with the outdoor patio for sure,” he said.

The second and third phases will take place over the next two years, village officials said.

szalusky@dailyherald.com