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Thursday, March 28, 2024

‘Sidewalk Supervisors’ observe the ever-changing landscape in downtown Naperville

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Above / Familiar faces keep pace with construction, new store openings and other happenings in downtown Naperville nearly every day.

UPDATE Oct. 25, 2016 / Link to Timeline of Photos beginning in April 2015…

Original Post, April 2016 / Early Saturday mornings always provide peaceful time for reflection and to explore what’s new in downtown Naperville, especially under sunny or partly sunny skies.

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Looking west from Main Street, note the second-level walkway structure is in place and men were working Saturday to spray a sealant on the steel frame along Water Street. (PN Photo, April 23, 2016)

More than likely, you’ll bump into other local residents with the same intentions, coffee cups in hand, seeking to keep up with the ever-changing landscape from season to season, street to street, in the heart of the central business district.

For the past year, park benches along the Riverwalk across from the construction of the Water Street District have provided unobstructed views for people keeping track, folks who like to call themselves “Sidewalk Supervisors.” Many are willing to talk “off the record” about all the changes they remember during the growth in downtown over the past 50 years, changes that started when the Lantern, a popular watering hole today, had just opened its doors.

If you read further, note that the information included in this post could be considered hearsay as it was gathered from a large group of sidewalk supervisors who have been watching construction progress on both sides of the Main Street Bridge.  No officials were consulted for this story. All that said, we’re confident the sources we encountered are pretty reliable. Plus, the pictures speak for themselves.

Two inquiring minds, Bill Theil and John Drohan, tour the construction site nearly every day. Saturday they wanted to know, “Will the Water Street District or the Empire by Ballydoyle be finished first?”

You might say they were taking bets, but we opted out on speculating, deciding instead to write this unofficial report, mindful that only time will tell. What do you think?

Empire by Ballydoyle

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Above / No matter where you stand on the Main Street Bridge, sounds of construction promise something new soon will arrive in downtown Naperville. This view of the rear of Empire shows the rooftop patio with retractable doors and roof. (PN Photo, April 23, 2016)

In 2012, the Naperville City Council approved plans for a restaurant, Empire by Ballydoyle, to open in the structure on the southeast corner of Chicago Avenue and Main Street. Still unfinished, the new concept has been under construction for several years, with stops along the way.

The old brick building on the corner came with a rich history of other restaurants and businesses dating back to the early 20th century, but that’s another story.

For a couple years in 2006 and 2007, Positively Naperville’s office was located under the staircase leading to Bobosky Law Offices. We witnessed a couple of small roof fires that quickly were extinguished by the Naperville Fire Department. Then in 2010 a fire gutted the former location of Rosebud’s. We recall flooding, too, when the DuPage River ran high and through it. Both the law offices and Rosebud’s have relocated to other downtown locations.

What could have led folks to expect quicker progress is that window signs advertised employment opportunities, giving the impression the project would be finished by now.

Sometimes it takes time when much interior and exterior work as well as permitting are required to restore old buildings and make them structurally safe, noted one passerby.  Most people don’t realize three different buildings are part of this project.

Yet, when you consider the riverfront property houses three old structures that will be one establishment, with all the new environmental rules and regulations to follow, “you begin to wonder if it’s worth it,” added a downtown neighbor.

Another “supervisor” commented about the retractable roof and doors on the rooftop patio, now visible.

Water Street District

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Above / Calling themselves “Sidewalk Supervisors,” local residents Bill Theil and John Drohan are known to offer daily updates about construction projects in downtown Naperville. (PN Photo April 23, 2016)

On the flip side of the Main Street Bridge looking west is the Water Street District, first conceived in 2007 to house condominiums.

After numerous changes to the plan over years, the public-private partnership today includes a 500-plus space parking deck with a 158-room Hotel Indigo to serve as the anchor for the mixed-use retail, restaurant and office development on the south end of Naperville’s central business district, adjacent to the Naperville Township Administration Building.

Construction crews began demolition in April 2015 and leveled the structures to start engineering and building on 2.4 acres of wide open space east of the Naperville Municipal Center along both sides of Water Street between Main and Webster streets.

By contrast to Empire, the $93 million development has moved along quickly, as detailed with the plans and photos linked here.

Developers say the Water Street District will open in late fall 2016.

West Suburban Irish will host 2017 Emerald Dinner at Water Street

One of the first events scheduled in the new banquet space, Elements, will be the West Suburban Irish Emerald Dinner in February 25, 2017. Save the date!

Meanwhile, teams of trivia players always are welcome to West Suburban Irish Quiz Nights held at Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson, beginning at 7PM on the first Tuesday of most months. Cheers!

All along Main Street

Dean's
Dean’s Clothing is located at 226 S. Main Street.

When you head north from the Main Street Bridge all along Main Street to Benton Avenue, you’ll discover many locally-owned independent shops and dining establishments in the mix with national brands.

For instance, step inside Dean’s Fine Clothing for men and women where the Naperville family-owned independent business began a long tradition of exceptional customer service back in 1959.

Plus, Dean’s offers convenient customer parking right outside its side door.

Century Walk Art

As you stroll along Main Street, note several Century Walk works of outdoor art at the corners of Jackson Avenue (“A Lifetime Together”) and Jefferson Avenue (“Heartland Harvest” and “Faith, Hope & Charity”).

When you get to Main Street Promenade you’ll find “Symbiotic Sojourn,” our personal favorite, on the patio near Hugo’s.

Be sure to see “Naperville Loves a Parade,” one of two complementary murals that grace the walls along Rubins Way, an alley on the west side of Main Street across from Dean’s and Heaven on Seven. In fact, you’ll see images of Dean’s Clothing, Heaven on Seven founder and Chef Jimmy Bannos and many local landmarks depicted among the colorful spectators featured in the mural.

—PN

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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