Moka Coffeehouse

 Looks as if downtown Carbondale will get a new coffeehouse in the near future.  No opening date posted yet but signage is up for Moka Coffeehoue in the empty Geologic Oddities space in University Plaza on S. Illinois.

Property Taxes

 Given the hue and cry over Walker's Bluff Winery's recent announcement they were closing the facility due to high property taxes, here a basic overview of property taxes in Illinois and how they are calculated. With some exceptions, property taxes are assessed at 33% of the fair market value and, if oounties assess the value above or below that amount, an equalization factor kicks in to adjust the value back to 33% .  If you are not happy with property taxes, it is not all the fault of the country board.

Solar Bear

 Although I have not seen much publicity for it (granted I am not the target market either) but the annual Solar Bear event takes place this Friday and Saturday. It looks as if Levels has taken over from Pinch Penny as the main bar hosting Solar Bear drinking but there typically a lot of people congregate along West College between University and Poplar, with fraternities sponsoring a lot of house parties.  From what I have heard, last night was no busier than normal, though there were two stabbings on N. Washington near Washington and Main last night.

Update:  West College between S. University and S. Poplar is currently blocked off for Solar Bear partying.

Job Search

Seeing posts on social media from people looking for work certainly struck me when I was chatting with a restaurant owner earlier today. They have a number positions open and had open interviews a couple of weeks ago. They interviewed 30 people and called back 8 of them to offer them a position.  Of those 8 who apparently were still looking for a job, only 3 showed up.

SIMMS Grand Opening

 The southern Illinois Multimodal station has its official grand opening on August 28th.  I guess the bus stops there but not at the times I pass by as I have not seen any picking up or disgorging passages.  Originally, there was supposed to be taxi pickup there but with the ubuiquity of Uber and otehr car services, I do not know if there are any active taxi services in the city.

The City of Carbondale will celebrate the official grand opening of the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS) with a Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at 401 South Illinois Avenue in Carbondale.

The completion of SIMMS represents a major milestone for Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region. Affectionately known as the “Jewel of the Southern Line,” the new station serves as a modern regional transportation hub, connecting multiple modes of travel and bringing together Amtrak, Greyhound, FlixBus, JAX Mass Transit, regional transit providers, bicycle and pedestrian connections, and Southern Illinois University’s Welcome Center within one facility.

Made possible through more than $23 million in federal and state grant funding, SIMMS reflects years of planning and collaboration among the City of Carbondale, the State of Illinois, the federal government, transportation providers, regional organizations, and community partners.
In addition to strengthening transportation connectivity throughout Southern Illinois, the station represents a significant investment in the future of downtown Carbondale. SIMMS is expected to improve access to the region for residents, students, and visitors while supporting economic development, tourism, and downtown revitalization.

“This is a historic moment for the City of Carbondale and the entire Southern Illinois region,” said City Manager Stan Reno. “The Southern Illinois Multimodal Station represents years of vision, collaboration and investment. We are excited to officially open a facility that will strengthen regional connectivity, support economic development and serve as a welcoming gateway to our community for decades to come.”

The August 28 ceremony will open with a performance by a SIU Brass Ensemble and include remarks from elected officials, project partners, and transportation leaders, followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting. SIU Cheerleaders and the Saluki Shakers will help commemorate the occasion with the Saluki Fight Song.

Walker's Bluff Winery closing

 According to this post on their Facebook page, Walker's Bluff Winery will close permanently in the near future.  The owners blame the increase in property taxes by about $8000 this year to around $400,000. The owners also says the winery has not made a profit in the past 2 years.

I had not heard anything about the winery since Walker's Bluff Casino has opened and was under the impression it had closed down with the opening of the Casino as all the focus of the company, at least promotionally, was on the casino. Incidentally, the closure does not affect Walker's Bluff Casino, which will remain open.

City Council Agenda

 Here is the agenda from last week's city council meeting. Council voted to impose a fine for sleeping or camping on public property of $25 for the first offence, increasing with subsequent violations, with a 48 hour notice before the city will clear a campsite.

Council also voted to continue discussing increasing free public parking in downtown but that has been under discussion since 2020 so I doubt anything will get decided quickly.

Carbond-alien Off the Rails Concert

 I swung by tonight's off the rails concert just before the last band ended their performance.  According to one of the vendors I spoke with sales were really slow early in the day.  apparently no one wanted to come out in 95+ F degree weather. Crowd seemed a bit sparse too but it was still pretty muggy and warm even at 8:30 in the evening.  Hopefully the weather is cooler for the August 29th event.

SIUC Attendance

 From what I have heard from a member of the SIUC staff, unoffical numbers put fall attendance up about 2000 students from last fall. That is certainly a good number but on average about 45% of them will drop out before they graduate. the unviersity is currently at about 12,000 with a goal of 15,000 by 2030. That seems like a highly reachable number.

Hangar 9

 Hangar 9 is scheduled to reopen this Thursday.  For those that do not get downtown that much, the music venue/bar has been closed for remodeling since May so a lot of people are looking forward to what the interior looks like.

Bike lanes

 I really like the bright green bike lane in front of the SIMMS (Southern Illinois Multi Modal Station). it really stands out and makes the lane visible.  I hope the city, over the next few years, applies a similar bright paint scheme to other bike lanes throughout the city.

Lighting

 I see new lighting has been installed and turned on in the alley next to Aban Kitchen, to adi with customer pickups and in Friendship Part at the intersection of Mill and Illinois.   If I remember correctly, the plan is to install similar lighting next to Rips' Pizza and in the alley between So Ill Syndicate and Yesteryear's Tobaccoist, making an outside dining spot for Cristaudo's.

Recycling Locations

 The city has updated its recycling drop off locations. There is still one in the Exodus Church Parking lot on S. Oakland and the one on East College is now in the parking lot half a block east of the fire station.

Stix

 It looks as if Stix may reopen sometime later this year.  I see work done on the outside and Dyvx on the outside and I remember seeing an application before the Liquor Control Commission earlier this year for a transfer of a liquor license to the location.

Lightning Detectors

 The city has installed lightning detectors  at various locations throughout Carbondale. Superblock, Evergreen Park and the New Era Events Plaza will provide sirens and strobe lights to alert visitors when lightning is detected within 10 miles of the location.  There is also signage at Poplar Camp Beach with a QR code visitors can scan to find weather and lightning information for that location.  Poplar Camp Beach's warning system is set to detect lightning strikes within 15 miles of the beach.

I guess it is useful but I thought that was what the city's storm warning sirens were for. This will give warning of a specific type of danger though.

The City of Carbondale Office of Emergency Management has implemented the Perry Weather automated lightning detection system to enhance public safety at designated City facilities and event locations. The system provides accurate, real-time lightning detection using atmospheric data to identify hazardous conditions and deliver timely notifications when lightning threatens the area.

Below is information on where these detection systems are located and how they can be utilized.

Monitored Sites with Notification Hardware (“Hard Sites”):

The following City locations are equipped with Perry Weather notification hardware that provide automated alerts:

• Superblock
• Evergreen Park
• New Era Events Plaza (Robbie Stoke Memorial Stage)

These locations are equipped with:

• Audible warning sirens
• Voice public address (PA) announcements
• Visual warning strobes
• Informational signage with QR codes that provide real-time weather information, safety recommendations, and all-clear countdowns

“Soft Sites”:

The City also monitors designated "soft sites" that do not have installed notification hardware. The only soft site currently equipped with official signage is Poplar Camp Beach, while there are other locations being identified to be monitored and designated with signage with further project development. 

At soft sites:

• Site signage with a QR code that provides:
  • Site-specific weather conditions
  • Lightning information
  • Safety recommendations
  • A countdown to the all-clear
• City staff can receive real-time Perry Weather alerts.
• If City Staff are present, they are responsible for notifying the public when hazardous weather conditions exist.

Additional locations where City staff are not routinely present may also include QR code signage. These locations provide public access to site-specific weather information only and do not include audible or visual notifications.

All sites (excluding Poplar Camp Beach) detect lightning within a 10-mile radius. Poplar Camp Beach is set to detect lightning within a 15-mile radius.  

Alley Lighting

 Remember the T-Mobile grant Carbondale Main Street got last year to upgrade lighting in some parts of downtown Carbondale?  Judge Services finished work on the first project, the alley running just north of Aban Kitchen, criss crossing overhead strings of lights from Illinois Avenue to Pickle's Alley. Have not seen them turned on yet so have no idea how bright they are.

Aban Kitchen uses the alley as a pick up location for their to-go orders adn the new lighting will make it brighter for customers waiting in the alley and safer for staff members bringing out the orders. There are two more locations in town scheduled for similar upgrades.

Hiring

 Both Thai Taste and Big Chill are looking for additional staff. Due to staff shortages, Thai Taste will close for lunch on July 29th and dinner on July 30th.

off the Rails Schedule

 Here is the schedule for the fall slate of Off the Rails Concerts. While I see the August 15 as a welcome back concert for SIUC students, I just hope the summer heat does not drive away attendance. After all it is starting at 3 in the afternoon.

The City of Carbondale is excited to announce the return of the Off the Rails Concert Series, bringing five unforgettable nights of free live music to downtown Carbondale from August through October 2026. For the first time in the series' history, our concerts will take place on the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage at the New Era Events Plaza (200 S. Washington Street), marking a new era for one of Southern Illinois' favorite live music traditions.

Following the successful debut of the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage during this summer's Sunset Concert Series, Off the Rails now has a permanent home in the heart of downtown. The series continues its mission of showcasing an eclectic mix of nationally touring artists, regional favorites, and emerging local talent while creating memorable community experiences that celebrate Carbondale's vibrant music culture.

"Off the Rails has always been about creating opportunities for people to experience incredible live music in the heart of downtown Carbondale," said Dena Haun, Tourism and Special Events Coordinator for the City of Carbondale. "This year feels especially meaningful as we bring the series onto the Robbie Stokes Memorial Stage for the very first time. Robbie dedicated so much of his life to supporting musicians and building Southern Illinois' music community. It's incredibly fitting that this stage will now host artists from across the country while continuing to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent we have right here at home."

The 2026 season kicks off with the CarbondAlien Music Festival, celebrating Southern Illinois' thriving local music scene before welcoming nationally recognized artists throughout the fall. All events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy local food vendors while experiencing live music in downtown Carbondale. Public consumption of alcohol is permitted within the Downtown Entertainment District in accordance with City regulations. Guests may purchase beverages from participating establishments or bring their own in non-glass, single-serve containers.

2026 Off the Rails Concert Schedule:

Saturday, August 15 // CarbondAlien Music Festival // 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: The Hornworms, City of Soul, Tawl Paul & Slappin' Henry Blue, Tr!cks, Stay Here and the Southern Illinois Soul Jazz Coalition!

Saturday, August 29 // 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Marcella Simien & Family Soul Band

Friday, September 4 // Lost Cross 40th Anniversary // 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Didjits & Acumen

Saturday, September 19 // Hemp, Hops & Shrooms // 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Hot Like Mars & MoonShroom with programming from the SIU Cannabis Science Center and the SIU Fermentation Science Institute

Friday, October 2 // SIU Family Weekend // 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Features: Kyle Tuttle Band & Special guest Chris Housman

Petitions

 Nominating petititons for the 3 open city council seats and mayor's office are available for pickup starting July 28th. Clare Killman has said she will not run for another term, leaving her seat open.  No word yet on Mayor Harvey or Councilpeople Loos and Maxwell.

On April 6, 2027, the City of Carbondale will hold an election to select one Mayor and three City Councilmembers for four-year terms. Informational documents and petition forms will be available in the City Clerk’s Office beginning on July 28; these same forms and other useful information are available in the 2027 Candidate’s Guide that can be found on the Illinois State Board of Elections’ website. Signed, completed forms will be filed in the City Clerk’s Office during the statutory filing period of Monday, October 19 through Monday, October 26, 2026 (circulation and filing dates amended by Public Acts 103-0586 and 103-0600). 

This election will be for the seats presently held by Mayor Carolin Harvey, and Councilmembers Clare Killman, Adam Loos, and Nancy Maxwell.  

Assistent City Manager Position

 Think you can run Carbondale better than the people now doing it?  Here is your chance. The city has an assitant City Manager positon open and is accepting applications with the first review of them starting August 21st:

The City of Carbondale is accepting applications for the position of Assistant City Manager, seeking a highly qualified and strategic professional to join the City's executive leadership team. The position will work directly with the City Manager to enhance organizational capacity, improve interdepartmental coordination, and advance key City priorities.  

The Assistant City Manager will provide leadership on strategic initiatives and special projects while supporting day-to-day municipal operations. Responsibilities include coordinating major City initiatives, overseeing grant development and administration, supervising public relations and communications, tourism and community promotion, and violence prevention programs, while fostering partnerships that enhance the quality of life for Carbondale residents.