There is a move afoot to demolish the Pure Oil silo that has stood sentinel at Meadowdale International Raceway near Carpentersville, IL USA for over fifty years. It is the old track's major landmark, visible to all who pass by on Illinois Route 31.

AND THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BE DONE WITHIN TEN DAYS! Please contact the Kane County Forest Preserve immediately and express the opinion that the silo should be saved, and that to demolish it will destroy a major landmark of a tourist attraction that is just beginning to be appreciated.

Contact:
Kane County Forest Preserve
Attn: Monica A. Meyers, Executive Director
719 S. Batavia Ave.
Geneva, IL 60134

Phone: 630-232-5981
Fax: 630-232-5924
e-mail: forestpreserve@co.kane.il.us

This alert is based upon a rumor that a demolition permit has been requested for the silo. I wouldn't normally act upon a rumor, but the urgency here makes it necessary and the source is reliable.

The reason given for the quick action is that the foundation of the silo is failing. Do we have any engineers among us who could take a look at it and see if, after standing for well over 50 years, the silo is in danger of eminent collapse? Or is this just an excuse to squelch the revived interest in the old race track?

If the foundation is, in fact, weak, what can be done to save the structure? Demolition would not be cheap, and that money could be better spent on saving and restoring this important landmark, rather than tearing it down.

Please act immediately. Ten days from now may be too late. Thanks.

Ross Fosbender
Ottawa, IL
www.meadowdaleraceway.homestead.com

Ross, my reply is on the way and a copy to you!

Let me know if our group can help or if a trip to discuss with local officials would help.

I am sitting on go!

Henry

I am also emailing them...

This type of silo typically has a simple foundation - basically a large poured concrete pad that is a couple of feet wider in diameter than the silo. It could be 2-3 feet in thickness, depending on the size of the silo. Failure generally occurs when the foundation pad begins to settle and tilt (think Leaning Tower of Pisa). It is unlikely that the concrete has simply deteriorated. Even if someone is seeing surface deterioration, that is usually irrelevant given the thickness of the concrete. In any event, the silo would have to be REALLY leaning to be in danger of emminent collapse - that would be evident to any lay person driving by it. It is more likely that the silo itself is deteriorated. This is a good primer on silo foundations:

http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/cbd/cbd177_e.html

If the silo is simply beginning to tilt it is - unlike the 'silo' in Pisa - a relatively straight forward repair. I would suggest helical screw anchors. Here's some info:

http://www.abchance.com/ch_prod/ch_prod_hpm.html

I'm one State away and not licensed in Illinois, otherwise I would offer to help.

The response I received. The group here had better help light up the WWW or the Silo is going to be history soon!

Henry

Dear Citizen:

Thank you for your email regarding the silo located at Kane County
Forest Preserve District's Raceway Woods. The mission of the District
is to preserve and restore the natural areas of Kane County.
Unfortunately, structures that were not maintained prior to the
District's ownership and have continued to deteriorate eventually become
hazardous. In addition, the silo has been a source of unsafe and
illegal activity for a while, as is the often the case with structures
where well-intentioned citizens have not the resources to preserve them.


While we respect the interest in preserving history, the silo has not
been designated by the state as an historic landmark. The cost to
preserve, restore and maintain a structure such as this greatly exceeds
the alternative. As responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and safety
within the District's mission, the structure must be removed.

In place of the silo and throughout the site the District is planning
historical information kioske's/signage to show where structures once
stood, the different elements of the track and the general activities
that took place on the site. We are working closely with Dundee
Township and Dundee Park District to implement improvements consistently
on all three properties that make up Raceway Woods.

We appreciate your concern and feedback. Memories of the Racetrack are
indeed special. Please feel free to visit the site often.

Kind Regards,

Monica A. Meyers
Executive Director
Forest Preserve District of Kane County


AnnMarie Fauske
Director of Community Affairs
Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Main Office:
719 Batavia Avenue, Bldg. G, Geneva, IL 60134
630-232-3955- Phone; 630-232-5924 - Fax

I would like to think this group had some impact:

http://www.meadowdaleraceway.homestead.com/

http://www.meadowdaleraceway.homestead.com/KCFPDreply.html

Now the question becomes how can we gather around this project as a group and make a difference before all is lost?

Or, will we simply stand aside?

Henry

They sent me the same lame email. I told I wasn't interested in plaques...