The saying goes that when one door closes, another opens.
News that St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will be closing the doors to its parochial school is upsetting and unfortunately, not uncommon. Sentimental alums need only look a few blocks south at St. Bernardine’s where parishioners there have been trying to save the Catholic school. School administrators from both faiths point to a trend of dipping enrollment and lagging revenue that leaves a tearful wake within these close knit groups.
From all accounts it sounds as though St. John’s has done well to keep its congregation informed of the reality, and this will make it easier for people to accept the school’s closure. For several months worshippers, parents, teachers and students have been able to brace themselves for the disappointing possibility that classes will not continue at 305 Circle Ave.
It’s important now, that as this door closes the church is able to walk through the next one.
Several of St. John’s neighbors are desperately looking for parking, and as we’ve said before, it could be a year before elected officials have a long-term solution to consider. In the meantime, we would all like to park within a reasonable distance of wherever it is we are going. The church is one block north of Madison Street, and is a stone’s throw from several homes that were on the chopping block to make room for new parking. Without salivating too much, members of the business community and the municipality need to begin meeting with the church.
Roos project deserves approval
The developers behind the condominium and townhouse project proposed for the vacant eyesore at the corner of Circle and Harrison streets have every reason to be disappointed by Monday’s planning commission meeting. What was expected to be a final discussion of punch list items en route to a green light to the village council turned into three hours of hand-wringing.
It is noteworthy that the fire chief has concerns about accessing several of the units in the proposal, however, fire departments across the country would be thrilled to find residential properties outfitted with sprinkler systems. Further, the architects’ near grovel for a conditional approval should have been granted. In a project that has already improved the drainage conditions over what is currently in place, any efforts to go above and beyond could be hashed out with village engineers.
The board seems to recognize this is a good project. Members should be eager to receive their invitations to a ground breaking ceremony.
