First of New “What’s Brewing with Mayor Williams” Sessions Takes Place at Mad Goat Coffee on South Gilbert

The start of a new series of coffeehouse meetings with Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr took place Monday, from late morning to early afternoon, at the Mad Goat Coffee location on South Gilbert.  The meeting was well attended, in a crowded back meeting room.  One of many topics that came up was what is next with the now abandoned Quaker Oats property after last year’s closing.

Mayor Williams says the hope continues to combine the 40 plus acres at Quaker with the 50 plus at the old Heatcraft site into something brand new for Danville; which the city is working on with Vermilion Advantage and other entities.  Williams says the utilities are there, and what’s needed next is a decision from Quaker.  Are they planning to sell the site; or would they consider donating the site to Danville, which the mayor thinks would be a perfect gesture.

AUDIO: I hope that it can be soon.  The sooner we know what’s going to happen with that property, the better that we can plan for our future.  However, it’s completely in their hands.  But what I’ll reiterate to them is that this would be the last great gift they could give to this community,  is to help us in terms of redevelopment.

Mayor Williams added that he’s often asked “why did the Quaker building came down so quickly after last year’s closing?”  He says the reason is that he was a royal pain in the you know what to Quaker, telling them he wanted it down as soon as possible, and not abandoned as the city’s problem.

The mayor also mentioned that one thing he’s really looking forward to in Danville is park improvements; such as to Elmwood Park playground equipment and the Cannon Park tennis court.  Director of Public Works Dave Ruwe was also at the meeting.  He says you can also add to that some work on the courts at Lincoln Park.

AUDIO: The Lincoln Park courts will also get resurfaced, and redone as far as fencing and stuff.  So yes, we’re pretty excited about some of the big projects that are coming, to get some of these courts back to playing surfaces.  There will be basketball at Lincoln Park, a tennis court at Cannon Park, and basketball down at Elmwood.

The next “What’s Brewing with Mayor Williams” session is scheduled for June at Obsidian Coffee, 137 North Vermilion.