Friday, October 08, 2010

DNA 2010 Awards Winners Announced

The DNA is pleased to announce our 2010 DNA Award Winners – to be presented at the DNA Awards Gala on Thursday, October 14 at the Grand Victoria Casino.

Volunteer of the Year
Art for All

For their amazing work on the Art & Soul on the Fox/Passegiata event in downtown July 31-August 1.

Excellence in Business Success
La Puesta del Sol

For their perseverance as an independent, family-run restaurant that has built up a loyal clientele over their past 14 years in downtown

Outstanding Member/Partner
Elgin Antiques & Uniques
For their overwhelmingly positive, “pro-downtown” attitude and their ongoing participation in DNA activities and promotions

Remarkable Renovation
The Razor’s Edge

For the truly remarkable renovation and restoration of the interior of their salon

Above & Beyond
Ina Dews
For a decade of volunteer service as the manager of the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market

A special President’s Award will also be awarded that evening.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Would you like to show your support for the winners? Tickets may be reserved for the event until Sunday, October 10 at 5PM at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e308ktwwb93fa7a0&llr=zwlt76bab

Downtown Elgin Construction Update - Week of 10/11

Dexter Court Nearly Complete; E. Highland Surface Removal to Begin

Reconstruction of Dexter Court winds down the week of October 11 with the milling of the existing asphalt surface (Monday) and placement of the first course of the new asphalt surface (Tuesday or Wednesday). Dexter Court will be closed for a period of time while the asphalt is being placed and allowed to cool.

Surface removal on Highland Avenue between Riverside Drive and Center Street, on Spring Street between Highland Avenue and Division Street, and on Center Street between Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue takes place this week, as well as placement of the first course of the new asphalt surface.

Installation of brick pavers continues on the south side of Highland Avenue between Spring Street and Center Street.

The City's payment drop box has been temporarily relocated during construction. To access the drop box, enter the Civic Center Parking lot from Douglas Avenue. Vehicular access to the drop box will be available in a drive up lane set up in the parking area along the north side of this entrance. The drop box will remain in its temporary location until the new center planter/wall is built in Dexter Court.

This phase of the CBD Streetscape project includes Highland Avenue from Riverside Drive to Center Street, Grove Court, Spring Street from Highland Avenue to Division Street, Dexter Court and Center Street from Kimball Street to Dundee Avenue.

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Metra Track Reconstruction October 20-27

Kimball Street is scheduled to be closed the week of October 20-27 for the reconstruction of the METRA tracks. During the time of this closure, there will be no work on Highland Avenue. Work on placing the final asphalt surface and permanent pavement markings will take place after Kimball Street re-opens.

Monday, October 04, 2010

Lets Spice It Up! Spice Truck Returns to Downtown Elgin Harvest Market


The Lets Spice It Up! Spice Truck pays a return visit to downtown Elgin as the 2010 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market - Presented by Alexian Brothers concludes its landmark tenth season this Thursday, October 7 at our October First Thursday Harvest Market from 10am-6pm at the Civic Parking Lot at the intersection of Highland and Douglas Avenues near City Hall.

Michael and Lisa will be on hand with an entire truckload of all of your favorite dried spices, soup bases, sauces, salsas and much more! For more information about Let's Spice It Up! visit their website at http://www.letsspiceitup.com/

Other activities confirmed for Thursday include:

* Musical performance by Fox River Trio
* Terrifying costumed characters from Psychosis Haunted House - Elgin's newest Halloween attraction - will turn the Harvest Market into a Haunted Market

Construction Update: Kimball Street Bridge Patching Begins Today

Street patching work is scheduled to begin on Kimball Street Bridge on Monday, October 4 and will continue for 3-4 days, depending on weather. There will be one lane open in each direction during the patching activity.

"All indications right now show that the work should be wrapped up by Friday, October 8," commented David Lawry, Public Services Director. "We know that motorists have been faced with a lot of obstacles over the past couple of months downtown and we plan to make this as seamless as possible."

The patching is scheduled to be conducted in between rush hour times, starting at 9:30 am and will wrap up by 2:00 pm each day. Motorists are reminded to use caution in construction zones.

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Reconstruction of Dexter Court continues through the week of October 4, 2010. Dexter Court will be closed for two weeks to allow for reconstruction. Access to City Hall is available through the Civic Center parking lot with access from Douglas Avenue, Highland Avenue and Grove Court.

The City's payment drop box has been temporarily relocated during construction. To access the drop box, enter the Civic Center Parking lot from Douglas Avenue. Vehicular access to the drop box will be available in a drive up lane set up in the parking area along the north side of this entrance.

The closure of Dexter Court is expected to last until Monday, October 11.

* * * * * * * *

Installation of brick paver sidewalks continues on the south side of Highland Avenue from Grove Avenue to Douglas Avenue and from Spring Street to Center Street.

Lowering of drainage and utility structure lids will take place during this week as well in preparation for removal of the existing asphalt surface. Milling of the existing asphalt surface and installation of the first layer of the new asphalt surface throughout this phase of the project is expected to begin the week of October 11.

Kimball Street is scheduled to be closed for a week during October for the reconstruction of the Metra tracks. During the time of this closure, there will be no work on Highland Avenue. Work on placing the final asphalt surface and permanent pavement markings will take place after Kimball Street re-opens.

This phase of the CBD Streetscape project includes Highland Avenue from Riverside Drive to Center Street, Grove Court, Spring Street from Highland Avenue to Division Street, Dexter Court and Center Street from Kimball Street to Dundee Avenue.

* * * * * * * *

Weekly progress meetings for the Central Business District construction project are held on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. at the construction office located at 201 E. Chicago Street. Business and property owners are invited to attend the first 15 minutes of the meeting if they have any questions or concerns regarding the construction.

Specific questions regarding the construction may be directed to Shelley Costello with TranSystems at 847-871-3185.

For general information on the project, please contact Joe Evers at 847-931-5955 or visit the City's website at www.cityofelgin.org and click the Gettin' Around in Downtown icon.