Both DeKalb and Sycamore made decisions in June influential to major future projects in the area.

In Sycamore, a special workshop meeting at 7 p.m. today will determine the incentive package necessary to entice Jewel to the proposed Sycamore Crossings shopping center to be built at the intersection of Peace Road and Rt. 23.

Recently, the DeKalb County Board allowed for a Peace Road entrance and eliminated the last contentious hurdle.

“The site issues have been resolved so now we are down to incentives,” said Sycamore city administrator Bill Nicklas.

The Sycamore city council will likely use its preferred method of sales tax rebates to reimburse the developer for incurred infrastructure costs. One fringe benefit to the surrounding community will be a bike path paved along Peace Road.

DeKalb reconsiders city hall site

Last month, the city of DeKalb halted preliminary consulting work on the future city hall. The delay will allow for an evaluation of the current location at the request of Mayor Frank Van Buer.

“The Municipal Building may be on the wrong side of the tracks,” said Van Buer. “City Hall could work as anchor: drawing people to an area where we want them to spend money.”

Sixth Ward Alderman Dave Baker repeatedly lobbied for the project to move forward immediately due to the continual increasing costs in building materials.

“It is important to delay and let the (downtown revitalization) task force look at it,” Van Buer said.

The quest for government efficiency

On July 1, DeKalb will have a new format for meetings aimed at increasing efficiency.

Procedural changes will eliminate the workshop meetings on the third Monday of the month. A Committee of the Whole meeting will replace the workshop at 6 p.m. preceding the normal council meetings.

“Going from one meeting right into the other will help,” said city clerk Donna Johnson. “The discussions will be fresher in everyone’s mind.”

Other changes will hasten council meetings by eliminating lengthy reading time and reorganizing the agenda.

“This change serves the public by televising Committee of the Whole meetings and letting the community view our informal discussions,” Van Buer said.