January 12, 2025
Shaw Local
NewsSportsBearseNewspaperObituariesNewsletterWeekend PlansEvent Calendar

Ahead in 2025: More road improvements ahead for Sandwich residents

Reconstruction of North Main Street expected to begin in April

By Eric Schelkopf
Troy Strange, of civil engineering company Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc., talks about the planned reconstruction of North Main Street in Sandwich during a June 26 open house.

Troy Strange, of civil engineering company Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc., talks about the planned reconstruction of North Main Street in Sandwich during a June 26 open house. (Eric Schelkopf)

Following Latham Street improvements in 2024, Sandwich residents will see more road work in the new year with the planned reconstruction of North Main Street.

Work is expected to get underway in April on the reconstruction of North Main Street from the north railroad right-of-way to Knights Road near Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital. The project is set for completion by October.

Work is expected to get underway in April 2025 on the reconstruction of North Main Street from the north railroad right-of-way to Knights Road near Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital. The project is set for completion by October 2025.

Work is expected to get underway in April 2025 on the reconstruction of North Main Street from the north railroad right-of-way to Knights Road near Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital. The project is set for completion by October 2025. (Eric Schelkopf)

The project is estimated to cost $4.4 million. As part of the project, a large portion of the sidewalks along that stretch will be replaced and sidewalk ramps at crosswalk locations will be improved to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

In addition, undersized utilities that are in poor condition will be replaced during the early stages of construction to eliminate the need for future utility improvements after the reconstruction of the road.

Election

Sandwich Mayor Todd Latham will face two opponents in the April 1 consolidated election.

Latham, who in June announced that he will run for a second term, has filed for reelection. He will face Sandwich City Council 4th Ward Alderman Rick Whitecotton, whose term expires in April, and Colton Otto.

Sandwich City Council 3rd Ward Alderman Bill Fritsch and 2nd Ward alderwoman Rebecca Johnson will not appear on the April 1 election ballot following objections to their petitions.

Those objections included the fact that neither Fritsch nor Johnson bound their petition papers together and Fritsch put the wrong election date on his petition. The Sandwich Electoral Board made the decision to remove them from the ballot following the objections.

Fritsch and Johnson do not plan to appeal the electoral board’s ruling. They also don’t plan to run as write-in candidates.

Latham appointed Fritsch to the Sandwich City Council in May 2021 to fill a vacant seat on the City Council. Johnson was elected to the Sandwich City Council in April 2021.

Water system

Improvements to Sandwich’s aging water system will continue in 2025.

The city’s water treatment plant on Railroad Street, which was constructed in 1939, is significantly past the date of its useful life. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has recommended replacing the facility.

“This is one of the older plants I’ve seen in northeast Illinois,” Engineering Enterprises Vice President Steve Dennison had told Sandwich City Council members. “The ceiling is collapsing.”

In addition, he said the plant uses obsolete technology for the aeration of the water.

“It works, but only for a period of time,” Dennison said.

He said the city’s second water treatment plant on Clark Street – which has been operational since 1993 – can be modified and expanded to accommodate the decommissioning of the Railroad Street plant.

Low water pressure on the city’s northwest side also is a concern. In addition, water mains have to be replaced.

Since 2016, the city has experienced more than 65 water main breaks, Dennison said.

Lead service pipes also will need to be replaced. The city received a $40,000 grant to start identifying properties that have lead pipes.

By a vote of 4-3, the Sandwich City Council in 2024 approved a water rate increase to help pay for an estimated $72.6 million in improvements to its water system. Starting May 1, the water service charge per quarter for Sandwich water users increased from $3.02 per 1,000 gallons of water to $7.40 per 1,000 gallons of water.

City officials also are trying to make sure the water system is keeping up with the city’s growth. Sandwich is expected to grow from its current population of about 7,200 to about 13,000 by the year 2050.

Sandwich Opera House

City Council members this year will also likely continue discussion on what repairs need to be made to the historic Sandwich Opera House in downtown Sandwich.

The Sandwich City Council will have some decisions to make after reviewing a report showing it could cost up to $3.15 million to repair the historic Sandwich Opera House.

The Sandwich City Council will have some decisions to make after reviewing a report showing it could cost up to $3.15 million to repair the historic Sandwich Opera House. (Photo provided)

City Council members in 2024 reviewed a report showing that it could cost up to $3.15 million to repair the historic Sandwich Opera House. The Grecian-style Sandwich Opera House was built for $12,000 in 1878 by Enos Doan.

The building was renovated in 1895 and again from 1984 to 1986 after years of neglect. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Part of the building’s roof needs to be replaced as well as the gutters. The $3.15 million repair estimate would include the installation of new copper gutters.

The performing arts theater hosts shows throughout the year and the building also houses city offices.