Downtown Elgin Construction Update - Week of November 15

Final Stages of Phase 4 Streetscape Work Continue

Phase 4 improvements of the CDB Streetscape Project will be winding down over the next few weeks. The remaining work includes street paving and crosswalk installation.

The City, DNA and TranSystems have come up with a plan to complete the majority of the remaining work by mid-November. Special attention has been given to allow as much access to local businesses as possible as we push through this final phase.

November 15-22

1. Closure of the south side of Highland to complete the second half of the crosswalks.
2. Closure of Spring Street from south of Division through the south side of Highland for the full installation of three crosswalks.
3. Closure of the northbound side of Grove Court. Access to and from Grove Court will only be allowed for postal deliveries to the Post Office and for post office vehicles. Public parking will be in the Civic Center parking lot only. Pedestrian access from the Civic Center parking lot will be available.
4. Full closure of Grove Avenue at the south side of Highland Avenue to allow construction of the full crosswalk.

Traffic Detour

Click here for this week's detour map > > >

Northbound traffic on Spring Street will be detoured east on Chicago Street to Villa/Center Street, north on Center Street to Division Street, west on Division to Spring Street where traffic can continue northbound on Spring Street. Motorists reaching the Spring Street / Grove Avenue / Fulton Street intersection and who wish to access Spring Street north of Division Street have the option of turning left on Grove Avenue and continuing north on Douglas Avenue to Division Street. At Division Street, turn right to Spring Street where you can then continue northbound on Spring Street.

Southbound traffic on Spring Street will be detoured west on Symphony Way to Douglas Avenue, south on Douglas Avenue to Chicago Street, east on Chicago Street to Spring Street where they can continue southbound on Spring Street.

Parking for and access to the Post Office will be from the Civic Center Parking lot.

Access to businesses on north Grove Avenue will be available from Chicago Street.

Crosswalks on Division Street (east and west of Spring Street) and all crosswalks on Center Street between Kimball St. and Dundee Avenue will be done in the spring.

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.


Specific questions regarding the construction can be directed to Shelley Costello with TranSystems at 847-871-3185 or to Tonya Hudson with the DNA at 847-488-1456.

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.

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

Challenging Prognosis for Downtown Retailer Patricia Keeney

Patricia Keeney, owner of Keeney’s Sporting Goods in downtown Elgin, has been seriously ill for the past few months and has been hospitalized since October 26.

Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin (DNA) volunteers have been running Keeney’s store in her absence for the past three weeks, and the organization has been collecting personal contributions since Friday. Everyone has been awaiting test results to determine precisely what is ailing Keeney.

According to Keeney’s doctors today, the test results indicate that she has multiple myeloma, a type of plasma cell cancer. The doctors have started her on chemotherapy treatment and have not yet determined what future courses of treatment may be needed. It is uncertain how long she will be in the hospital, as she is suffering from other ailments such as kidney failure, that are likely related to the myeloma.

DNA will continue to staff her store with volunteers to keep her business open. DNA is also collecting contributions to help cover her medical bills and other expenses incurred from her hospitalization and any additional care and treatment that will be needed going forward.

DNA is also planning a fundraising event that will showcase and sell Keeney’s eclectic wares, from vintage dresses to letterman jackets and everything in between. The event is tentatively scheduled for mid-December at a downtown location yet to be determined.

Personal contributions may be made to the “Patricia Keeney Fund” and mailed to the DNA, 2 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120. Contributions are not tax-deductible. For more information, please contact Tonya Hudson, DNA Executive Director, at (847) 488-1456 or thudson@downtownelgin.com.