West Side Plaza

 The stip on the west side of town housing Legacy Fitness and Central Church is getting a facelift and rennovation.  The facade on the western 2/3 of the building will be removed, Pro Nails will move its retail space next to Edward Jones and the entire west half of the building will be rennovated to accomodate Illinois Department of Human Services offices, which will relocate from Murphysboro to Carbondale.

Carbondale Sign

 The city has put a large Carbondale logo across the top of the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage, complementing the one on the Multi Modal Transport Station. Now to complete the set, they should put the name of the city across the facade of the City Hall/Civic Center

Homeless Shelter

 The city is on track to receive $2 million to fund creating a permanent homeless shelter overseen by the Warming Center. according to the story, the city is working to get NeroRestorative to donate a building at 306 West Mill for use as the shelter, just down the hill from the Survivor Empowerment Center.  Since that location was previously an apartment building, it would need far less renovation to convert it to a shelter than would demolishing the current one, which is not up to code, and build a new one. It would also be far enough away from the southwest residential area that concerns by residents of that area should be minimal.

City of New Orleans

 I got to thinking the city should license the song "City of New Orleans" and play it at the multi-modal station, especially when that train picks up and unloads passengers. Would certainly help reinforce Carbondale's history as a railroad town.

Wall Street

 the city is doing a lot of work on S. Wall Street. From what I understand, the plan is to reduce it from 2 lanes each way to one lane each way, a center turn lane and a bike lane.  Stay off the street if you can as traffic backed up horribly and traffic moving either direction appears somewhat artibrary.

The results should be fine once everything gets finished but right now, East Walnut was backed up clear to S. Washington this afternoon.

Arbor Day

 From the city.  I do wish the city would get around to replacing the trees removed on West Main and West Walnut several years age

The City of Carbondale proudly celebrates its 45th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community. In recognition of this milestone, the Forestry Division will plant a Swamp White oak in honor of our current standing Mayor, Mayor Harvey.  

The Celebration will take place on Arbor Day, Friday April 24 at 3pm at Founders Park, located behind the City of Carbondale Police Department. As part of the observance, the Daniel H. Brush Chapter National Society Daughter’s of The American Revolution will plant a Jefferson elm in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. 

“Carbondale’s continued recognition as a Tree City USA community reflects our long-standing commitment to sustainability and quality of life” says City Manager, Stan Reno. “Planting trees in honor of Mayor Harvey and America’s 250th anniversary is a meaningful way to celebrate and honor both her great leadership and our nation’s enduring legacy.”   

We ask the community to join us in this celebration and encourage citizens to conduct their own personal Arbor Day celebration by planting a tree of their own.  

Questions about planting your own tree or other city forestry services? Contact the City Arborist by email at mmcdaniel@carbondaleil.gov or call 618-457-3275. 

Learn more about our status as Tree City USA, as well as SIU’s standing as a Tree Campus USA here: https://www.explorecarbondale.com/170/Forestry-Services 

Tedrick Welcome Center

 Happened to drive onto SIUC's campus today and passed the Tedrick Welcome Center and the first thought I had was "This thing is big". I had visualized a small one story building like the welcome center at the north end of Woody Hall.  Nope, the Tedrick Center is a good three stories tall and certainly has plenty of space to welcome students. I do wonder what those upper floors are used for, as I would think most welcoming of students would take place on the ground floor