Travel into yesteryear, with an eye toward our future.....

Long Grove E-Newsletter Edition 46                                June 20, 2019

The Village is mourning the loss of Robert Parker Coffin, a former Village President who served in that role for 22 years, and the namesake of the road that leads into downtown Long Grove. Please learn more about Mr. Coffin below. Also in this newsletter, please see information and updates on the Old McHenry Road (OMR) project as it enters its final phases, and the Robert Parker Coffin (RPC) Road project which will begin in the next couple of weeks. Residents and visitors are encouraged to patronize and support downtown Long Grove businesses through the ongoing construction in the downtown area, as there will be full access to all businesses. The Illinois Department of Transportation is beginning its work on Old Hicks and Route 53; traffic delays due to intermittent lane closures will continue in this area through the end of the construction season (by end of November, weather-permitting). Strawberry Fest will take place this weekend, and don't forget the Garden Walk on June 28 at Reed-Turner Nature Center.  Please also see information about the Summer Concert Series starting in mid-July, as well as the Community Calendar below.

Thank you!
Village of Long Grove
Village Mourns Loss of Robert Parker Coffin
On June 13, 2019, Robert Parker Coffin passed away. In addition to this man being the Village President of Long Grove from 1958-1980, the road leading into the Village is named after him. Mr. Coffin's obituary can be found  here , and more information on his contributions to the Village (from a 1992 Chicago Tribune article) can be found  here . 
Across the Board
A brief look at items recently voted on or discussed by the Long Grove Village Board. For additional information on any of these items, click  here.

1.  Ordinance Granting a Cable Television Franchise Agreement with Comcast.
2.  Resolution Awarding a Bid For Reconstruction of RPC Bridge Abutment Repairs and Painting.
3. Resolution Approving Proposal From Point and Pay.
IN THIS ISSUE
IDOT Project Kick Off on Old Hicks & Rt. 53 
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is in the beginning phases of their road project on Old Hicks Road and Route 53. This project is in the same area as the ongoing utility relocation work that began this past spring. Intermittent lane closures and subsequent traffic delays are expected to continue during non-peak hours Monday through Friday; lane closures will not occur during the peak hours of 6:00-8:30 a.m. and 4:30-6:00 p.m.  Alternate routes include Lake Cook Road and Arlington Heights Road to bypass these delays. The IDOT project is expected to continue through the end of the construction season (by end of November, weather-dependent).  More information on this project can be found  here . For questions, call IDOT Project Manager Jonathan Schumacher at  847-705-4260  or email
Participate in the Annual Garden Walk

The Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club will be holding their annual Garden Walk Friday, June 28, 2019, beginning at  9:00 a.m. This always popular event is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with a few of the area's beautiful private gardens. These personal landscapes will inspire you with ideas for your own garden. This year, the tour includes four different gardens in and around Long Grove and Kildeer, followed by a box lunch at Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center in Long Grove. 

The club's annual Garden Walk began roughly 20 years ago, and originally was a members-only event. Over the years, it was opened up to the public and most recently had more than 100 attendees. The Garden Walk is the club's second largest fundraiser, which is a bargain at $25, including lunch.

Attendees will meet at Reed-Turner Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road in Long Grove at 9:00 a.m. to pick up their information packet. Then, they can proceed to enjoy the four gardens at their own pace. The walk normally takes between three and four hours. Upon completion, attendees will return to Reed-Turner for a  box luncheon catered by Sunset Foods. For reservations, call Josephine Valino at 312-927-4195 or via email at  jovhairstudio@gmail.com.
The deadline to register for the Garden Walk is Monday, June 24.
Village of 
Long Grove 

Office Hours 
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. -  5:00 p.m.

  Main line   
847-634-9440

Village Website Address 

Village Administration
Village Manager 
David Lothspeich

Elected Officials

Village President 
Bill Jacob

Trustee 
Chris Borawski

Trustee 
Anne Kritzmire

Trustee 
Chuck Nora

Trustee 
Rita O'Connor

Trustee 
Bobbie O'Reilly

Trustee 
Michael Sarlitto

Village Clerk 
Amy Johns Gayton

Please email
to provide feedback or comments on Village communication efforts.
Support Downtown Businesses During Road Construction Season
The downtown Long Grove businesses have been 'toughing it out' through considerable road construction in the downtown area, which began in the summer of 2018. As a banner in the downtown so succinctly stated; "If Rome was built in a day, we would have hired their contractor." While this banner is making light of the current construction, there's also a strong message in it. Rome wasn't built in a day, and downtown Long Grove's timeline for needed infrastructure and other aesthetic improvements are a strong priority for the Village Board - but progress takes time! Fortunately, once the Old McHenry Road (OMR) project, and the upcoming Robert Parker Coffin (RPC) Road project are completed, the downtown area will have a wide range of  infrastructure and other improvements, that will only add to the charm that downtown Long Grove has become known for. Please consider supporting the businesses in the downtown area during this final construction period, which is expected to be completed by November of this year. Please see more information and updates on both of these projects in the articles below.

The Village of Long Grove would like to thank all of the downtown businesses who continue to contribute to what makes Long Grove such a special place to be - for both our residents and our visitors. 
Robert Parker Coffin Road Project Begins After July 4th Holiday
Rendering of what RPC Road and the Bridge will look like once the project is completed, which is expected to be by Thanksgiving.
The Robert Parker Coffin (RPC) Road project is scheduled to begin over the next couple of weeks, with a revised start date after the July 4th holiday. This project will provide a range of improvements in the downtown, including new landscaping, streetlights, benches, and ADA accessible sidewalks - as well as storm sewer improvements. The Village will also be extending its public water main down Robert Parker Coffin Road which is the first phase in the project. Once completed, all properties in the downtown area will have access to public water which will assist in maintaining and attracting new businesses to the downtown district.

In addition to these improvements and replacement of the RPC Bridge's timber cover, the Village Board recently approved painting and abutment repairs for the Bridge totaling $747,903; the Long Grove Historical Society has pledged $76,000 to assist with the cost of these improvements. Additionally, the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association has announced they will be donating $60,000 toward new street lighting. The Village of Long Grove would like to thank both of these organizations for their commitment and assistance in helping to continue to beautify the downtown area.

The RPC Project is expected to wrap up by Thanksgiving (weather-permitting). For more information, please call Long Grove Village Hall at  847-634-9440 . 
Old McHenry Road Project Update
Road striping at Archer Road.
Lake County Department of Transportation (LCDOT)  crews began paving asphalt shoulders at the south and north end limits of the Old McHenry Road project. They have also placed binder layers at the north resurfacing limits from Village Hall Drive to Cuba Road. More sod and landscape restoration work and clean up work will also continue. In the coming weeks, crews will resume sod installation, driveway construction, miscellaneous prep work for final paving, and also place the final asphalt surface layer. Please note: All work is weather-dependent. Traffic impacts: Watch for workers and flaggers as daily lane closures will be utilized, and watch for trucks coming in and out of the jobsite.  For real-time updates, and to sign up for project updates, please visit the LCDOT  website . This project is planned to be completed by July!
Strawberry Fest is This Weekend!
This weekend - nostalgic, and sweet summertime fun is happening! Strawberry Fest will take place Friday, June 21, Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, 2019!   Attendees at this popular annual festival will experience everything from strawberry-infused creations such as prime rib sandwiches lathered in strawberry salsa to classic strawberry pie-eating contests. While Strawberry Fest begins and ends with the almighty strawberry, in no way is it an exclusive berry party! For those who like to mix it up, chef-driven barbecue and other decadent local treats offer something for every taste bud. Entertainment will include a classic carnival, multiple live music stages, and the Kids Zone featuring family activities at no charge - including Medieval Times Jr. Knight training, bags, spin art coloring, face painting, performances from local children's groups and more. For additional information and festival times, click here .
Road Construction Projects Around Lake County
In addition to the ongoing Old McHenry Road project and the upcoming Robert Parker Coffin Road project in Long Grove, residents and visitors may encounter other projects in nearby communities. To learn more about the upcoming Lake Cook and Weiland Road construction projects in Buffalo Grove, click here, and for more about additional road construction projects throughout Lake County, click here. 
Community Calendar

Click on the meeting below for additional information.
Tuesday, June 25 2019
Tuesday, June 25 2019
Tuesday, July 2 2019
Tuesday, July 9 2019

View all upcoming and past Village of Long Grove public meetings,  agendas and minutes,  here . 
Summer Concert Series Begins July 14th at Towner Green
The Long Grove Arts & Music Council (LGAMC) presents the 2019 Summer Concerts, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on the following Sundays at Towner Green, 132 Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove:


     July 14 Corky Siegel & Will Tilson 

 August  4 Creole Stomp

August 11 Sons of the Never Wrong

August 18 The Don Stiernberg Quartet
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated to support the organization and future concerts.  The Village of Long Grove provided $10,000 in grant funding to the LGAMC to offset the cost of the performances for the season to help ensure this entertainment continues to be provided for residents and visitors. Please check the LGAMC website for schedule changes or entertainment additions at lgamc.org.