Riverside’s lengthy, meandering quest to build a floodwall along Groveland Avenue to hold back the occasionally mighty Des Plaines River continues. The price keeps rising in million-dollar leaps as the years pass, but a determined village hall keeps finding new pots of money to tap to keep the local cost of this essential project in range.
While the total cost of the project has now risen to $18 million, the village thinks it can lock in the direct cost to Riverside taxpayers at about $2 million. That might happen after it secured nearly $1 million in new federal funds through the efforts of Rep. Chuy Garcia.
Next it is about to ask the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to nearly double its 2028 contribution of $2.5 million to make it $4.9 million.
As more frequent and intense rainstorms swell the Des Plaines, a floodwall that is both effective in containing nature while not being grotesque to those who want to be in proximity to the river, has been an elusive target. The Army Corp of Engineers has sometimes resembled the Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight as its plans have been inadequate, mispriced and unrealistic.
Good for the village staff and board for sticking with this critical mission. We hope it can be locked in before the next time the river overspills its banks.
Remembering Jerry Buttimer
Jerry Buttimer was one of those unique souls who touched his hometown in ever so many ways. Mr. Buttimer, formerly of Riverside, died last week at 74.
He brought boundless energy to each of the many passions he had, whether it was in prep and college sports, his businesses, or the many civic causes he championed, including service as a village official. Wherever he turned his attention he brought determination, humor and results.
It is people like Jerry Buttimer who have made Riverside the particular and special community it is today.
Why wait, says class of ‘62
Where’d you go to high school? For some, that is the primary identifier of a rooted life. Might just be the case for the 25 graduates of RB back in 1962 who gathered last week to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of their graduation.
Bob Doubek helped organize the informal gathering. He describes high school years as “the quintessential American experience.” And it is why he has been active in organizing formal reunions of his class for most of six decades. But now with members of the class of 1962 turning 80, he was up for an impromptu get together, which was hosted as a private party at Sandcastle Grill and Tap on Forest Avenue.
Doubek said the best estimate is that 250 members of that class are still living. He had a way to reach, maybe, 200 of them. About 40 responded and 25 turned out for the event.
It made for a happy evening of memories and the start of planning for the next get-together.