RENDERING COURTESY RDG PLANNING & DESIGN
The city of Springfield held a public open house June 12 to discuss plans for redevelopment of the Third Street corridor once the rail traffic relocates. The concept of The Linc is to have a greenway that extends from the Illinois State Fairgrounds to the Interurban/Wabash Trail near Stanford Avenue, with the main portion of the greenway connecting to the Third Street railroad corridor through the downtown area.
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NO THIRD STREET GREENWAY
What are our leaders thinking? For over a decade, successive administrations have focused on turning the Third Street rail corridor into a multi-use trail, the Third Street greenway. Current estimates put the cost of conversion at $81.2 million and would give us yet another disconnected piece of biking infrastructure.
Theoretically it does connect to two existing trails, but said connection would require walking or biking across the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Wabash Avenue. Would anyone feel safe walking or riding their bikes across that intersection or letting their kids do the same? Most people I know would not feel safe and therefore avoid it.
This could be fixed, though, simply by not converting Third Street into a multi-use trail. If our city leaders are dedicated to building cycling infrastructure, building elsewhere would get us more for the same cost. The cost to construct a protected bike lane, which would separate cars from bikes with physical barriers, is anywhere from $200,000 to $1 million per mile. With the same budget our city leaders want to pour into the Third Street greenway, we could get anywhere from 81 miles to 405 miles of protected bike lanes, which would be enough to create a comprehensive bike network that people could safely use to get around town. Let’s get more bang for our buck and say no to the Third Street greenway.
RC Higgins
Springfield
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THANKS FOR RECOGNITION
I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to be featured in the Juneteenth edition of Illinois Times (“A new way to experience culture,” June 12). It truly means a lot to us.
At The Culture Experience, we are working hard to bridge gaps in Springfield: culturally, socially and generationally, through intentional and immersive events. Being recognized in such a meaningful edition, one that celebrates Black freedom, resilience and contribution, is very humbling.
We’re grateful that Illinois Times continues to offer a platform for local voices and changemakers. Your support helps amplify our mission to build connection and belonging here in Springfield.
Haley Williams
Springfield
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IF THE SHOE FITS
Remember Donald Trump’s concern about immigrants from shithole countries? Those countries were plagued with power-hungry autocrats, corruption and disdain for the rule of law. Media, businesses and universities were punished for dissent, with masked government agents grabbing people off the street and members of opposition parties detained or arrested.
Sound familiar? Making America one of those shithole countries is an ironic way to discourage immigration.
Bob Hall
Springfield
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GREAT EVENTS
I’ve attended a handful of The Culture Experience’s events. They’ve all been top-notch. Haley and Alice have taken an incredible dream and brought it to the masses. Great job, ladies (and all those who support you)!
Lauren Baker
Via Facebook/illinoistimes
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CORREX
The cover story “The college crisis” (June 19) stated that University of Illinois Springfield has seen its enrollment drop by 1,000 students during the last decade. In fall 2014, enrollment stood at 5,431 students and in fall 2024 there were 4,628 students enrolled, for a decline of 803 students. Illinois Times regrets the error.