THE BUGLE JANUARY 20, 2011 3
VILLAGE Continued from page 1 section of every nationality, and we don’t forget that. We are a ‘go along, get along,’ type of community. You don’t see that everywhere.We welcome people with open arms.” Various infrastructure projects were completed in 2010, one of the largest being the reconstruction of Lily Cache, which the mayor called a“project from hell.”After countless delays, the work has paid off with a much easier road to travel. “While many say our debt is high…the cost is due to the infrastructure that we have put in place that will serve us for years to come,” said Claar. With the effects of the economy taking its toll everywhere, the housing market has undoubtedly suffered. However, Claar said while the economy may have hurt plans for developments like Americana Estates, he is confident that the village has land “we will see developed.” Claar reported a statistic showing there are more than 70,000 undeveloped lots in the
Bugle file photo 2010
Mayor Claar, shown here at the 2010 State of the Village, discusses the past year, and the year ahead.
G&W Electric moving in — See page 4 collar counties that remained vacant. In comparison, Claar said housing starts are up and “we are actively in good shape.” Another project, long in the making, a new senior housing facility, Mackenzie Falls, became a reality after the development was on hold for years. Attributing to Bolingbrook’s success, said Claar, is the many businesses that call the village home including Midwest Generations, EPIR Technologies,
Elements, Chicago Bridge and Iron, IDI, and WeatherTree MacNeil Automotive. In the village’s address, the biggest announcement was that of a new business coming to town, G &W Electric Company, bringing with it prestige, the potential for numerous jobs, employee relocation and an investment into the community. “You have to look at the big picture—this is what being diverse and having the infrastructure in place means for the community,” said Claar.
“We have the ability to attract industry giants; we have the hotels, the restaurants, the shopping, a new hospital, facility and meeting space. We have the infrastructure in place because of the planning we have done.” In addition, the mayor pointed other large and small businesses throughout Bolingbrook such as Bolingbrook Cold Storage, operating warehouse space for well-known Supreme Lobster; Diageo, who took over the former Home Depot warehouse; Wingfoot, replacing the Old World Camping site; Heavenly Massage and Spa; Aarons Furniture; JumpZone, Lou Malnati’s, Five Guys; the new center, Julian’s Plaza, Big Lots, Costco, and the expansion of Walmart, among others. The future continues to promise further development with the possibility of the huge and profitable retailer Abt Electronics building on a 39-acre site the company
just purchased. Target plans to open a second store. A new clothing store, Ross Dress for Less, is to take over the former JoAnn’s store at Boughton and Weber Roads; while a Bueno Beef is expected to call the old Krispy Kreme home; and a new restaurant Titled Kilt is to open off I55 and Weber Road. Claar did express his disappointment over the General Assembly’s recent decision to raise taxes. “We suffered a lot of budget cuts this year and we took a lot of heat when we had to lay off, but we did not raise taxes,” said Claar. “It was painful to lay off employees, but we couldn’t raise taxes for residents who are already suffering in this economy and we will not do it again this year.” Claar concluded his speech, calling on individuals to pay attention to the election this spring and also ended by saying,“Did I mention we were #43?”