Braidwood City Council

Braidwood Truck Stop plans gain unanimous approval

Published by admin on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 3:21pm

The anticipated truck stop on the city of Braidwood’s southwest side has cleared the next hurdle to development.

On July 26, the Braidwood City Council held a public hearing regarding annexation for additional land to be utilized as part of the proposed Braidwood Truck Stop at I-55 and Reed Road.

Braidwood mayor wants to address overgrown interchanges

Published by admin on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 3:18pm

Braidwood Mayor Bob Jones said he’s ready for the entrances to the city off I-55 to get a little TLC.

During the regular meeting of the City Council on July 26, Jones said it’s his intention to get overgrowth at the I-55 and Route 113/Coal City Road exit taken care of once and for all.

Jones said making the city look better is an important part of attracting folks to planned new developments along the interstate, including the planned truck stop, Ford dealership and Chevrolet dealership.

Safety, compliance remain issue with golf carts in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 3:57pm

The city of Braidwood is taking a closer look at its local golf cart ordinance.

But, city leaders said the public shouldn’t interpret that to mean the city wants to end the popular mode of transport through town.

During the July 12 regular meeting of the City Council, city administrator Tony Altiery said that while the city was working on potential adjustments to the ordinance that allows golf carts and other non-highway vehicles to use city roads, the effort is aimed at safety and compliance, not banning those vehicles.

Braidwood Zoo supporters continue their pleas

Published by admin on Tue, 07/19/2022 - 3:59pm

If there’s one thing that folks in Braidwood seem to be able to agree on, it’s that the animals of the Braidwood Zoo should stick around.

The future of the zoo has been a hotbed of discussion ever since the city first expressed the desire to sell the land where the Route 66 folk art sits.

The combined sites at 151 N. Front St. and 305 E. Oak St. hold a pavilion, a small soundstage, picnic tables, a parking lot, and a pole barn building with bathroom facilities.

The fenced in Braidwood Zoo holds five animal sculptures created by late Essex artist Jack Barker.

EZ Street fix has Braidwood commissioner calling foul, again

Published by admin on Tue, 07/19/2022 - 3:57pm

The city of Braidwood has started the long process of fixing the intersection at Division and EZ Streets.

But, much as it’s been for the past few years, approving anything to do with funding for street work came with pushback from Streets and Alleys Commissioner Fay Smith, who says other city leaders continue to keep him in the dark on road work plans.

On July 12, the members of the City Council approved a resolution for improvement under the Illinois Highway Code, approving up to $60,000 for the first phase of the work.

Braidwood taking a closer look at golf cart ordinance

Published by admin on Tue, 07/12/2022 - 3:09pm

City officials in Braidwood want to take a closer look at the city’s ordinance that allows golf carts to utilize city streets, after some concerns that drivers may be taking risks behind the wheel.

The city’s golf cart ordinance was approved in 2011.

Under that original proposal, golf carts are allowed to operate on designated streets under the control of the city. Golf carts are not be permitted on roads under the control of the state, which includes Main (Route 113), Front (Route 53) and Washington (Route 129) streets, the main thoroughfares through town.

Plans for Braidwood Zoo property could be ready for council this summer

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 3:31pm

Plans to eventually develop the area that now holds the Braidwood Zoo are not yet completed. But Braidwood city administrator Tony Altiery said the city continues to work with a potential developer, hoping to bring something to the City Council regarding the site sometime this summer.

“We’re meeting with possible investors this week, and if that comes together then in the next month we’ll be looking to tie something up with that prospective purchasers,” Altiery said.

Commercial developments slow but steady in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 3:27pm

Development of commercial properties in the city of Braidwood have dominated much of the work of the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Board over the past year.

New developments in the works include a truck stop at I-55 and Reed Road, truck parking along Route 53, Ultimate Rides on Hickory Street, and the newly minted deal to bring D’Orazio Ford and Arnie Bauer Chevrolet to EZ Street.

On paper, the city shows a lot of new development. But, there’s little specifically to actually see just yet.

Braidwood Administrator explains parcel price for new dealerships

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 3:17pm

Two new car dealerships moving from Wilmington into Braidwood are expected to bring in millions of tax revenue to the city.

But the city’s deal to purchase the land where the dealerships will build their new sites had some questioning the expense.

During a special meeting on June 9, the City Council approved a redevelopment agreement with Bauer & D’Orazio, LLC to bring D’Orazio Ford and Arnie Bauer Chevrolet into the subdivision at EZ Street and
Division Street, which is located inside the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) III district.

Truck parking lot construction underway in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 3:11pm

Movement has begun on the construction of a 200-space truck parking lot at the Route 66 Business Park in Braidwood.

“They’re building the berm around it now, which is actually going to be really nice. That’s really their breaking ground is moving dirt. They have to move dirt until they get down to the elevation of the parking lot and then they’re good,” city administrator Tony Altiery said.

The City Council approved plans to consolidate the 12-lots that previously made of the site into a single lot back in April, clearing the way for the development of the parking lot.