That site exists among a community of people engaged in 21st-century pursuits, including a cheese factory and a grain elevator. We really need to get a bypass that takes that traffic away from the historic area and the site of the proposed temple. Freiburg says one challenge for the city is to address the traffic issue before the projected opening of the temple in either 2001 or 2002. If the new truck bypass does get approved, it will probably be at least four years before any construction begins. And Nauvoo also needs to find a way to pay for the new road and other improvements.
Some help is already on hand.
With support from local groups, Baker was hired by U of I Extension largely to work with Hancock County officials and communities on community and economic development. A few years ago, an Extension-sponsored housing survey produced findings that are helping planners today. Development is a challenge on many fronts beyond infrastructure. These are the things Nauvoo residents and leaders are struggling with.