Des Plaines has little sense of history

As I read the article ("Developers interested in Des Plaines' first McDonald's" May 4) I want to say in the words of an old TV sitcom of the 60s, "What a revolting development this is!"

Landmarks in the region are again being devoured by the worst intentions of city officials, developers, contractors under the guise of progress. Living in this region for 54 years, I saw many changes, good and bad.

The intersection of Rand and River roads and side streets have been rerouted, remodeled, reconfigured, reconstructed and redeveloped ad infinitum. This is a disaster that must be confronted by the city, county and state officials. It is not the fault of the businesses trying to make a living. They paid their taxes and now are left as the residue of the economy because of bad city planning in the past.

Wall to wall high-rises seem to be the trend with only a few historical reminiscences such as the Historical Center and the Des Plaines Theater. Although the McDonald Museum is a replica from the 50s it is part of a greater U.S. historical interest. These important venues are to be maintained and promoted.

I am loathe to see this triangle turn into a Mega-Condo swath, aesthetically unattractive and ecologically deprived. There are only low-income apartment rentals, outlying single family homes and superfluous high-rises left in the configuration of this town center and along the rail tracks a strip of struggling retailers.

The properties in question should be combined as one beneficial to the region as a harbinger of history. McDonald would be the first to benefit from its construction along with the Historical Society and the people of the region who will no longer just ride through instead of stop off in Des Plaines. So the question remains: Who cares?

Iris Seefeldt

Arlington Heights