Decatur Council to discuss Business 51 streetscape proposals In this 2018 file photo, road work is performed along U.S. Business 51 near the Maryland Heights Road intersection. JIM BOWLING, HERALD & REVIEW DECATUR — The future of Business Route 51 between Pershing Road and Eldorado Street tops the Decatur City Council’s agenda Monday. City staff
Decatur Council to discuss Business 51 streetscape proposals
In this 2018 file photo, road work is performed along U.S. Business 51 near the Maryland Heights Road intersection.
DECATUR — The future of Business Route 51 between Pershing Road and Eldorado Street tops the Decatur City Council’s agenda Monday.
City staff will seek input from council members on what improvements they would like to see to the dilapidated stretch of pavement, which is due for a facelift from the Illinois Department of Transportation in either 2022 or 2023.
“I think the purpose is to kind of get the council’s direction on some of these alternatives that are proposed for various sections along 51, but then generally to get the public support for reducing the amount of vehicular pavement and replacing it with more green space and more pedestrian facilities, whether it’s reducing the number of lanes or narrowing the lanes,” said assistant city manager Jon Kindseth.
IDOT’s initial plan for the route was to complete a “mill and fill” of Water and Main streets, fixing the existing asphalt but making no other improvements to the street or surrounding streetscape.
City staff objected, arguing that the road in its current state is too wide and detracts from neighborhood revitalization efforts. They have expressed interest in a road diet that would reduce driving lanes, add green space and improve the overall streetscape.
Proposed alternatives for the route would limit traffic to three lanes in each direction and include accommodations for pedestrians and bikers.
An IDOT traffic study confirmed that a reduction to three lanes would be feasible.
Once the council provides a direction, the next steps would be to complete detail design and gather input from the public. There is currently no timetable for either.
Also on Monday:
Culp will replace outgoing Councilman Pat McDaniel, who is retiring after 10 years on the council. McDaniel will be honored at Monday’s meeting.
* Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe has nominated Councilwoman Lisa Gregory to serve as mayor pro tempore.
The mayor pro tem runs city council meetings when the mayor isn’t present and becomes the acting mayor if there’s a vacancy in the office.
The role has been held for the past few years by McDaniel. Gregory’s appointment will be voted on by the council.
* The council will consider an agreement with the Public Safety Training Foundation for use of their facility. This proposed agreement allows officers and future officers to use the facilities without having to sign an agreement.
The council will also consider a related agreement that will allow police officers to use a VirTra V-300 System training simulator, which puts officers in real-life training scenarios.
The agreement would allow the Decatur Police Department to have access to their own VirTra System to use for training any time of day or night, which allows even third shift to do on-shift training.
28 photos of Hickory Point Mall from our archives
World’s Largest Stocking
1988: Eight-year-old Rebekah Steimel is dwarfed by ‘World’s Largest Stocking.’
What’s up doc?
1991: Kyle Kenny, 2, wasn’t exactly sure what to do with a giant Easter bunny at Hickory Point Mall. She got a hug, a piece of candy and had her picture taken. She is the daughter of Fred and Kim Kenny, Forsyth.
The shopping goes on
1982: Customers crowd around the racks as the after-Christmas sale gets under way at Brooks Fashions in Hickory Point Mall. Decatur-area shoppers were out in force Sunday to take advantage of clearance prices on items taht didn’t quite make it under a Christmas tree on Dec. 25.
The complete shopper
1992: Janie Forkin, Forsyth, obviously an experienced shopper, found an easy solution for ehavy packages and tired children as she shopped Hickory Point Mall Sunday. Forkin carted her children, Elizabeth, 7, Alexandra, 3, and Patrick, 8, in the family wagon.
Stores to open around Oct. 1
1978: J.C. Penney Co. and Carson Pirie Scott & Co. retail stores plus some small shops are to open in the Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth “aroung Oct. 1.” The P.A. Bergner & Co. store will not open until after the first of the year. Irwin Blitt of Copaken, White & Blitt, the mall developer, said the Penney store is in “very good shape” while the Carson building is “getting closed very fast.” He said it will be several weeks before the small shops are enclosed. Warren Hagan, project engineer, said construction is 35 to 40 percent complete.
Store shaping up
1978: The beams and concrete slab of the new J.C. Penney Co. store in Hickory Point Mall form stark lines and angles behind construction workers as progress on the building continues this week. The store is expected to open at the mall in Forsyth on Oct. 18.
Sidewalk sale
1981: When the sidewalks are cold outside, the best place for a sidewalk sale is indoors – which is precisely where Hickory Point Mall held its sidewalk sale Thursday afternoon. Shoppers browsed in comfort at the wares offered by the mall stores.
Shoppers
1978: Lynn Cochran, left, and JoAnne Whitefield like shopping in the enclosed malls.
Santa’s coming
1980: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…at least, it is at Hickory Point Mall where Santa’s castle has been erected in anticipation of the old gentleman’s annual visit to find out what good little boys and girls expect him to bring Christmas Eve.
Santa helps cut ribbon
1978: At the grand opening ceremony thsi morning at Hickory Point Mall, Santa was the featured attraction for the children. Helping him cut the ribbon are, from left, Forsyth Village Board President Billy Hardy, state Sen. James H. Rupp, the Rev. William C. Ellis, mall manager Larry Sandifer and Glenna Kuntzman, president of the mall merchants’ group.
Rita’s Rainbow
1978: Rita Blitt polishes her ‘Rita’s Rainbow’ sculpture which decorates Hickory Point Mall.
Ribbon cutting
1978: Joel Meade, manager of the new J.C. Penney Co. store in Forsyth’s Hickory Point Mall, at the grand opening. About 200 gathered to watch Dorothy Miller, a 39-year-old employee, and long-time customer Betty McCool of Forsyth cut the ribbon. The old store in downtown Decatur closed Saturday. Dignitaries on hand included State Rep. Allen Bennett, R-Decatur, Forsyth Vilalge Board President Billy Hardy and Kirtley Wilson, president of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce.
J.C. Penney
1978
J.C. Penney
1978
J.C. Penney
1978
Ice cream
1992: Janet McFarland of Sullivan and her daughter Torri, 4, take time out Sunday from a busy day of shopping to enjoy an ice cream at Hickory Point Mall.
Hickory Point Mall
1978: Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth is located just north of the Interstate 72 – U.S. 51 interchange.
Hickory Point Express
1992: The Hickory Point Express delights children from Anna Waters Head Start Center as they go around the track at the mall Monday.
Hickory Piont 6 Theater
1980: Hickory Point 6 theater complex opened Friday at the Forsyth Mall.
Grand opening
1978: Grand opening ceremonies were held Wednesday at Hickory Point Mall with Santa Claus helping to cut the ribbon. Twenty-nine shops are now open in the mall which was announced by planners five years ago, on Nov. 15, 1973.
Directory to malls
1986: Jacob Oimas, 11, of Decatur checks otu the Mall Information Center (MIC) screen on one of two new American Telemdiea Network terminals at Hickory Point Mall.
County Seat Store
1978: Employees were busy stocking the County Seat Store last week.
Christmas train(ing)
1987: Youngsters were given a shakedown ride on the Hickory Point Express Tuesday. They appeared to enjoy it as the special train prepares to launch its holiday schedule at the Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth.
Canned food exhibits
1983: Girl Scouts of the Shemamo Council line up just more than a mile of food, or 10,862 items, at Hickory Point Mall.
Bergner’s
1979: From left, Forsyth Village President Billy Hardy, Glaser, Liston and Miss Illinois, Debra Carlson.
Bazaar booth
1981: One of the booths set up at HIckory Point Mall to display and sell homemade craft items draws potential customers.
A singing ‘Declaration’
1988: The Foursquare Gospel Church ensemble ‘Declaration’ put Christmas shoppers into the spirit of the season with a session of serenading Saturday at Bergner’s Department Store in the Hickory Point Mall, Forsyth.
A place to rest
1979: Fran Rynders and his daughter Nieke, 4, take a break at a new fountaina nd rest area which was opened earlier this week in the Hickory Point Mall.
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