Taylorville is a busy city this fall.  Road work around the Taylorville Food Center continues, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.  The same is true with the Safe Routes To School project, which hopes to make the commute to school smoother in more ways than one.  The city is also facing head-on some controversy over its plans to demolish old buildings.  This all comes as Chillifest is less than a month away.

Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry has heard many of the questions over the construction near the Taylorville Food Center.  He predicts it will be completed before Chillifest. 

The Safe Routes To School project is underway, as well.  The purpose of the effort is to repair roads and sidewalks which are a heavy part of school commutes.  As one might expect, much of the construction is happening in the vicinity of certain area schools. 

At last week’s city council meeting, the body voted to approve the demolition of multiple buildings in the area.  Some on the council and throughout the city have opposed this effort, citing – among other reasons – the costs involved.  Mayor Barry says the city is more equipped to finance these demolitions than the property owners and adds that the aesthetic improvements justify the costs. 

Mayor Barry also references what has come of the properties where buildings have previously been demolished.  Some have been used for educational programs, while others are waiting to have new homes built. 

Find out more about the City of Taylorville by visiting www.taylorville.net.

Bruce Barry appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.