Chautauqua Road Reopening

To the relief of those living off Tower Road, the city announced that Chautauqua Road will re-open at 5 p.m. today. Bridge repairs didn't take as long as expected. Now if someone will finish resurfacing South Oakland after all the construction there.

New Clothing Store

TDA Clothing has opened at the west end of the little strip of stores behind Trax. Have not been in from the logo design, I would guess it will focus on urban design clothing,

Friday Night Fair

Friday Night Fair tonight from 6 to 9 pm at the Town Square Pavilion. Really would like to know how much traffic these events draw into downtown. Whenever I walk by them, attendance seems pretty sparse but as long as Carbondale Main Street keeps hosting them and the various organizations continue to show up, they might as well continue.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. On August 7. The following items are on the agenda:

PC 20-01: Judith Jackson is requesting a Special Use Permit for a Day Care Home II, within an R-1-12, Low Density Residential, zoning district at 905 South Valley Road.

PC 20-02: John Deas is requesting the rezoning of a property from R-1-5, Low Density Residential, to an NB, Neighborhood Business, zoning district at 801 North Almond Street.

Interesting to see the application for a rezoning for a neighborhood business in what is currently a residential area.

Pizza Hut

New Pizza Hut opened this week. Carryout and delivery only. Mildly bemused that, instead of using the old building, they built a new one on East Walnut.

Thai Taste

Another downtown business up for sale. The owner of Thai Taste is moving to San Antonio so needs to sell the restaurant and the building.  Staff and management will remain in place so pretty much a turnkey operation.

Sunset Concert

Looks as if the Sunset Concert program is to slowly transition the shows scheduled for Turley Park to the new downtown concert space at Hwy 13 and Washington. There are 2 concerts scheduled for Turley, 2 for the Shryock step and 2 for the S. Washington space. The S. Washington space actually makes the best location for the concert of the three, at least from a logistical point of view. Since it is next to the street, setting up the stage and portapotties is comparatively easy and there is an abundance of nearby parking as well as places to dine more conveniently than either of the other two venues. 

Autopsy Closed

Autopsy, the footwear store located on West Walnut, that shuttered after permit problems with the city regarding events being held there, has completely shut down. The store front is empty, the sign is gone from the front window and there is a "For rent" sign in the space. 

Legal Smile

Legal Smile Wellness and Fine Glass has opened up in the University Plaza strip at the south end of Illinois, between Captain's Quarters and Kampus Kuts. Not sure exact what the business is but it does have a sign out in front advertising CBD products.

Carbondale Popluation

In case you are interested, here are the numbers for Carbondale' population based on census counts since 1990. We hit a high that correlated with the high point of SIUC's attendance then slowly worked back up, while the university's attendance consistently worked its way down.

Housing Grants

The City of Carbondale is again offering grants to low income families to help rehab their houses and roofs. Eligible applicants can get up to $45,000 to repair their homes and remove health and safety hazards. Applicants can also seek the $!6,500 grant solely for roof repair. Those interested have to turn in their forms by August 23.

I wonder how closely the city vets these applications. I remember one from a couple of years ago that had the neighbors questioning if they met the low income requirements..

Free Parking

Well, the city started the downtown free parking program yesterday. Bags cover all of the parking meters and there is at least one sign at the entrance to the town square parking lot announcing "3 hour free parking". Not  sure how the city will enforce that as chalking tires has been ruled an unconstitutional violation of the 4th amendment. Likely have a staff member go around the lots, take photos of the license plates, then swing back around in another 3 hours and ticket those cars still in the same spot. Taking photographs of something in a public venue, such as a parking lot, is just fine.