Sycamore Mayor Curt Lang gave a laundry list of projects and initiatives that are advancing in the City despite the Covid-19 crisis while speaking during this week’s Rotary meeting. Lang highlighted how the City quickly adapted to the pandemic by opening downtown streets for outdoor dining and postponing license fees for businesses. He also noted collaborations with the Chamber of Commerce to help local businesses manage their way through Covid-19 restrictions.
Infrastructure improvements continue to move forward according to Mayor Lang. These include street improvements that were part of last year’s state gas tax increase. Lang particularly referenced the State Street and Peace Road projects which were high visibility undertakings.
Economic development successes continued to benefit Sycamore Lang said. These include the Meijer retail center, a 1/3 increase in the Bethany Road Suter Company building, a doubling of the Ignatius Press production facility, a new NICOR Gas Company warehouse, plus interest in redevelopment or maintaining existing properties such as the Sycamore Industrial Park and Sycamore Theater. Also, Lang reported 29 single family home building permits have been issued which is close to last year’s level. Lang said the state economic promotion group, Intersect Illinois, plans to highlight Sycamore in an upcoming publication.
Lang says the City is busy with specific projects of its own. These include replacing diseased trees in the downtown area and maintaining the downtown hanging flower baskets. Through City proclamations, issues such as home fire safety (particularly kitchen fire prevention) and domestic violence and suicide prevention awareness were highlighted. The Mayor noted with pride the national recognition they received for audit compliance and that they lead the County in Census responses. When asked about recent concerns over water quality, Lang said the City is meeting all State EPA guidelines for its public water system and that officials are working to help resolve what appear to be problems going from the main system to individual properties.
Overall, Lang said great effort is being made to keep Sycamore a destination for business and families despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.