Bids are due this week for work on 17 street segments as part of Woodstock’s 2023 enhanced street improvement program. That’s in addition to three projects left over from the 2022 list, work on which is already underway. Christina Betz, the city’s executive director of operations, said this year’s work would include Lake Avenue in […]
As street construction projects around northern Illinois have been interrupted by a labor strike that has cut off supplies of materials, Woodstock has been spared – so far. “Not yet,” Christina Betz, the city’s executive director of operations, said of any delays. “We’re not expecting that to last. We’re taking it day by day.” Woodstock […]
Christina Betz had good news and bad news about construction of what she called the “Madison Street” roundabout at Lake Avenue and South Street. The work, which has closed a main entry point into downtown Woodstock, won’t take the full seven months to complete Woodstock’s first circular intersection. “We anticipate the project will not go […]
Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock’s third new executive director is the city’s second internal hire under its new local government organizational chart. Christina Betz, director of Public Works since October 2020, will be the city’s executive director of operations, effective Monday, May 9. According to a news release, Betz will work with the City Council and […]
Bids will be received this week for what is expected to be more than $13 million in Woodstock street improvements this year. Christina Betz, the city’s director of Public Works, said the bid process was being accelerated in an effort to “get the most favorable prices” from contractors. City Council will consider a contract at […]
Woodstock streets will get $12 million worth of work next year as the city resumes the aggressive street improvement program that was interrupted this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. And higher property taxes will pay for the work. The project cost will be $58.6 million through 2025, with the property tax increasing by $226.19 on […]
While a “severe” drought in the Woodstock area has been hard on farms, lawns, and gardens, it has had an upside – no mosquitoes. “We have not received any complaints [about mosquitoes],” said Christina Betz, the city’s director of Public Works. About 4 inches of rain in late June improved northern Illinois drought conditions from […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
