Plainfield Mayor Addresses Your Comments

A few weeks ago we asked Plainfield residents what they’d like to see changed. We took those suggestions and comments and addressed them to Plainfield Mayor Michael Collins. Here’s what he had to say.

Would you like to see bike paths connected through the city, specifically a path of route 126?

That’s been in the works for 10 years. But also with that comes a $35 million price tag. Phase one is already done. We’re also working on a truck bypass, we’re also working on intersections to I-55 at Lockport Street. Phase one is all the planning that they have to do, next is the detail and the money.

Is there anything on the horizon in regards to more businesses in the area?

Costco and a couple more are on the line. Costco could open in 2017.

Are there any steps the city could take to help a full-day kindergarten become a reality?

The city can’t do anything. That’s all up to the school district.

Any improvements planned with the park district?

That moves to another jurisdiction in the park district. They’re meeting on a bunch of projects but we’re not really familiar with it.

Would you like to see a Metra train station in Plainfield?

We bought 58 acres with that in mind for the STAR line and what happened was that with the state of Illinois in its financial condition, that was all stopped.

When things are on a better financial footing, is that something you’d like to see completed?

Of course, but it’s the money.

Is there anything you’d personally like to see done in Plainfield?

The growth will go by our plan for westward expansion. As long as we adhere to that, because we’ve set out a plan for all this, we want to make sure our building goes along with what we plan.

What are some of the plans for the westward expansion?

It’s businesses and residential. There’s gas stations planned for some of the areas. We’ve got two gas stations on the drawing board. We have a car dealership that’s going to move. It’s all in the works.