Main Street Woodstock - possible?

Main St. Illinois logo

Why isn't Woodstock an Illinois Main Street community?

What is an Illinois Main Street community? Check out the state website now.

Some people attempted to get the ball rolling in Woodstock, but there were too many hurdles. Funding and interest were slow. The biggest hurdle that I recall was the bashing by the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, which then had a different Executive Director and a previous Board of Directors.

Things are different now. The Chamber Board has new blood and able steerage from its President, Todd Kinker, and the Board members. Kinker, VP of Golden Eagle Community Bank, has played a big role in changing the financial position of the Chamber back toward solvency. The risk of loss of the Chamber-owned building on the Square has apparently been reduced.

But what about our downtown? Woodstock should have a vibrant downtown that lives up to its reputation. Sure, the Opera House is a focal point, but it is the commercial occupancy that makes or breaks the Square.

Go downtown and walk around. Do you feel excited and proud of the Square? Do you?

The City has spent tens (hundreds?) of thousands of dollars on the round-outs at the corners. In my opinion, that was money wasted. Some of the corners are now harder to negotiate. Was it really worth it? And that silly island on Cass at the stop sign at Main Street? It forces traffic closer to the rear of cars that might begin backing out of parking places.

Construction of the expanded movie theater is underway. When the new theaters open, there may be a chance to capitalize on the stadium seating and its attraction of large audiences. Parking is going to be a horrendous challenge, and movie-goers will soak up street parking badly needed by retail merchants and restaurants. That problem needs to be addressed now, before the new theaters open.

And movie-goers will be forced to depart after the movie ends, under current daytime parking restrictions. They will just about have time to buy tickets, refreshments and see the movie before it's time to rush to the car and move it to avoid a parking ticket. How will local merchants and restaurants capitalize on increased traffic to the Square?

Let's get a new Main Street Woodstock program started and begin planning into the future. This effort can collaborate with the Chamber, but it will need its own funding. Maybe the City should stop throwing $30,000 in hotel taxes at the Opera House, which is owned and operated by the City, and put that money to better use. The Opera House does not contribute to overnight stays in Woodstock. Theater-goers arrive, watch the show, and go home.

Interested in a Main Street Woodstock program? Comment below or email me. I'll be happy to help start a working group.