THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008
Mayor Hopes Riverwalk Done By 'Taste' Time
With the arrival of Des Plaines' annual Taste of Des Plaines celebration a little more than a month away, Mayor Tony Arredia remains hopeful that the new downtown Des Plaines Riverwalk project can kick-off the three-day event.
Arredia and the top state engineer assigned to the Riverwalk/floodwall recently discussed the progress of the project and whether most of the work will be completed by Friday, June 6 when the Taste begins.
"He said they would try to have most of it done by then," Arredia told the Journal & Topics Newspapers this week. "Last week they were putting the finishing touches on the walk as it goes under the railroad bridge. If so, most of it is done. They will let me know this week."
The project consists of the building of a flood protection wall along the Des Plaines River in the vicinity of Miner Street.
In addition, a paved walk will be constructed along the river in that area from about Campground Road north to Rand Road. Once completed, local residents will be able to descend on stairs from the Miner Street bridge and walk along the River. At night, lighting along the flood wall will help people see.
Mayor Arredia has said that he would like to have the walkway open by early June and incorporated into the Taste. He said an idea is to invite the community to view and experience the walkway on Friday or Saturday, June 6 or 7, to serve as a kick-off to the celebration.
The walkway is part of an overall plan engineered by Arredia and the city to develop a trail from Golf Road south to Touhy Avenue.
The purpose of the flood wall is to prevent river water from flowing over its banks and into homes and businesses primarily east of Miner Street.
The Taste of Des Plaines is an annual summer kick-off celebration held in the downtown area the first weekend in June. It attracts thousands of people with music, food, beverages, and art. The Des Plaines Special Events Commission sponsors the festival.