Do Something!

Passed through downtown Elmhurst this morning, and went down Third Street west of York. There stands the old Bailey's Restaurant building, now closed and vacant for the last two years. just sitting there, decaying, empty. A nice, highly visible blot in downtown.

Which reminded me of another nice, highly visible blot in town, another empty building that's been sitting vacant for over two years - the old TCBY building on York and South.

So what's the deal here? Why was there such a rush to displace these businesses if they were going to do nothing but sit and rot for years? I'm not sure I understand - is this good for the town? For the image we wish to present? Is this how the mayor and aldermen want these properties to look?

At the site of Bailey's there's been a board up in the parking lot touting a coming condo development and a bank (because God knows we need more banks in town). So, what's the deal? What's happening? Is anything going to be built?

I don't understand the desire to do away with viable businesses in the name of property development if the PROPERTY IS NEVER DEVELOPED!!

Or perhaps this was the idea - to drive the businesses away, empty the buildings, make the property available, and then figure out how to re-develop it?

Either way, we've had these eyesores sitting in town for far too long.

Do something!