Hoopeston officials seek opinions

BY CAROL HICKS
Commercial-News

HOOPESTON November 08, 2008 12:09 am

— The city’s economic development department seeks community input on site development, business expansion and business retention.
"We are looking for what community members are interested in bringing to Hoopeston and development they would be in favor of in different locations,” said Dana Goodrum, economic development director.
What do the residents want to see come to Hoopeston? Goodrum wants the community to tell her.
One site Goodrum feels should be developed is the corner of Illinois routes 1 and 9, the Shell Station corner.
"The Shell station is one of the most important sites for development," Goodrum said.
Which brings up the question of liquor licenses. Should the city add more beer and wine licenses to develop a site, such as the Shell corner, in order for it to compete with other businesses that have beer and wine licenses at their gas stations? City council members have rejected all previous requests from Shell station developers for a liquor license.
Another area for development is the Willdon Building, according to Goodrum and Judi Benjamin, Hoopeston Main Street program coordinator. Several members of the council seem to expect it to be torn down at some point.
Alderman Ed Lotz cautioned Goodrum after she mentioned updating the warning system on top of the Willdon Building at the November council meeting,
"If we ever get rid of that building, we’ll need another location (for the warning system)," he said.
What does the community want to see happen and where in Hoopeston? Goodrum will be setting up several meetings for the community to tell her in the near future. In the meantime, suggestions and feedback can be sent to her at econ-dev@hoopeston.org or call 283-7679.

EXPRESS YOUR OPINION
Suggestions and feedback about Hoopeston development projects can be sent to Dana Goodrum, economic development director, at econdev@hoopeston.org or call 283-7679.