Union Station update: brew tanks arrive; Dunham statue may return

JOLIET – The fermentation tanks arrived for the future MyGrain brewpub this week as city officials decide what to do with the Katherine Dunham statue that must be moved to make way for the microbrewery business.

MyGrain owners say they will open in mid-July, although a specific date has not been set.

The future location of the Dunham statue, which honors the Joliet roots of one of the great artistic dancers of the 20th Century, also is not set yet.

But it could actually end up back at Union Station even more prominently displayed, a city official said.

The statue has to come down for a reconstruction of the plaza outside Union Station that also removes landscaping and fixtures to make room for delivery trucks to the new brewpub.

City officials say the statue will be saved, although there may be some difficulty in moving it without breaking it.

The city is consulting with the artist from Friends of Community Art who created the statue , said Kendall Jackson, director of community development.

"He's consulting with us on how to move it, how to store it until we find a final resting place," Jackson told the city council this week.

The future location has not been determined yet. But, Jackson said it could go back to Union Station and in "a more prominent location than where it's at now."

Councilwoman Bettye Gavin asked about the fate of the statue, saying people want to know where it's going.

"I've been getting a lot of calls and suggestions as to where," Gavin said.

The plaza is being redesigned so delivery trucks have access to the brewpub from the circular drive in front of Union Station rather than having to back into a driveway outlet onto Jefferson Street.

Trucks this week delivered six fermentation tanks as MyGrain prepares for its mid-July opening.

MyGrain will begin brewing beer sometime before the opening and eventually plans to package beer to wholesale, MyGrain partner Vince Turrise said.