Preserve Minonk's brick streets

As the result of that news item published on this website, some viewers suggested that the money returned to the City be used to pave Minonk's streets. I don't know if the viewers were suggesting that Minonk's brick streets be paved, but if they did, I strongly disagree.

Minonk's many brick streets are one of the things that make Minonk unique and should be treated as an asset or selling point rather than a liability. The biggest complaint against the brick streets are that they are not as smooth as paved streets and therefore make for a little bumpier ride. While that may be true, I do not believe that this criticism sufficiently offsets the many positive features of Minonk's brick streets.

First of all, if Minonk's brick streets are bumpier than paved streets that will make motorists drive slower. This makes driving safer on brick streets.

Lastly, the quaint character of Minonk's brick streets lends a historic and timeless quality to the City. Go to some of the bigger metropolitan areas that are gentrifying the older areas to attract tourist. You're more than likely to find brick streets laid there to complement the historic buildings.

In a nutshell, Minonk's brick streets are safer, cheaper to maintain, and lend a historic and quaint look to the City that will attract residents. The City of Minonk and its residents should consider their brick streets as a city treasure rather than a liability. I only wish that our Street Department would replace the bricks whenever they have to dig up a brick street for a sewer line instead of paving it over with asphalt.

As far as using the $90,000 that will be returned to the City, I suggest it be used to further develop the railroad property purchased from Illinois Central. Installing walking paths or sidewalks and landscaping the property will benefit the citizens much more than paving over the brick streets. It would be appropriate to put the money back into the property that brought the City the money in the first place.

The money should be used to repair either my house foundation or repair the sewage and drainage system that seems to be older than the brick streets! Something needs to be done!

I really like the brick streets too. I heard that in Bloomington men were actually required to spend a day laying brick for the city each year or pay for someone else to do it. We'd have to ask the city guys how much labor and cost is involved in removing the bricks, leveling and replacing them. We probably just don't have the man power to take the time to replace them. Where would the good replacement bricks come from? Maybe certain sections would have to be removed for the bricks to be reused elsewhere. The $90.000 could be used to divert the rain water from coming down 4th St. and putting it in the storm sewer running downtown.

The brick Streets dont make Dust! You should live on north Washington,after some of the people that live on this street go by ya cant see for 5 min.!

Dave, I personally like brick streets and agree that they have a quaint, historic appeal. However, that appeal is only evident when they are properly maintained. You commented negatively in your editorial about areas being paved over with asphalt whenever the city had to dig up a sewer line, and this practice certainly does detract from the brick streets. West Fourth street is so striped with these asphalt lines I think the bricks have lost the very qualities that people look for in historic areas. Instead, it looks like we just "patched" the problem, which actually reflects poorly on our city. Prospective residents who may be moving to the community may wonder why we don't do the job right......either they should be ALL bricks, or ALL asphalt. The mixture of the two does not make a good impression.

Personally, I believe the $90,000 should be used on improving the sidewalks throughout town, rather than developing the railroad property purchased from Illinois Central. If someone is thinking about moving to town, what would make a better impression. Good usable sidewalks throughout most of town, or leaving the sidewalks the way they are and landscaping the railroad property. Which would benefit the greatest number of residents? Thank you

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