Why is 22nd Street between Jefferson and Harrison so much wider than all other 'nonarterial' streets?
City Engineer Jeff Steinkamp says the street is 45 feet from curb to curb, 9 feet wider than the normal 36-foot width. "While I could not find any factual reason for this street being wider, I can only assume that the developer of this subdivision was attempting to create some type of attractive boulevard or main thoroughfare feature in the design, which was popular in the late 1940s," Steinkamp said. Other urban legends on why the street is wider claim that an influential citizen living on the street wanted it to be wider, that 22nd Street was going to be the major street instead of 24th Street, and that a concrete association group wanted the wider street to showcase pavement product.
Are there restrictions on the number of garage sales that take place at a specific address each year?
Not in Quincy. City Planner Chuck Bevelheimer says he raised the issue of restricting garage sales about 10 years ago after noticing several residential properties conducting continuous sales in their yards and a neighbor complained. "The City Council was not supportive at the time of limiting garage sales," Bevelheimer said.
Who owns the lot behind the post office at Ninth and Hampshire and why is it empty?
Vermont Street United Methodist Church, 818 Vermont. It used to be a lumberyard before the church bought the property in 2004 and tore down the buildings. The Rev. Lou Zuck says the church is finishing a three-year campaign to pay for the property. About a month or so ago, church officials presented preliminary plans for potential use, including possible parking, a prayer garden and family life center building.
Do dog owners who walk their dogs on city streets have to clean up after them? If so, who do I contact if I have a problem?
Yes. City ordinance requires them to pick up after pets. Violators can be reported by calling the nonemergency number, 222-9360. The complainant will need to help identify the violator.
Curious about anything going on in your community? Submit e-mail questions to answers@whig.com or mail them to Answers, The Quincy Herald-Whig, P.O. Box 909, Quincy, IL 62306. Please provide a name and phone number. Questions dealing with personal or legal disputes will not be accepted.
