It's easy to be cynical about downtown areas.

 

But the reality is that downtown Kankakee has undergone numerous changes in the last 20 years. Most have been overwhelmingly positive. Now the City of Kankakee and the Kankakee Chamber is seeking your input on future changes you would like to see.

 

* Peoples Bank and now HomeStar have both built new facilities downtown. The old Kankakee Federal site has been remodeled and expanded into Centrue.

 

* The Farmers Market brings people downtown regularly. The new Kankakee Public Library and the Railroad Depot Museum have been popular.

 

* The old Arcade Building has been remodeled into Clocktower Place. The armory was saved and turned into the Community Resource Center. The railroad depot, too, was also saved from demolition and remodeled.

 

* The Paramount Theater has been remodeled and opened to live performances.

 

* One Sixty Four North, Grouchos and now, Jimmy John's, will offer new places to eat downtown.

 

* Both Kankakee Community College and Governors State University have moved educational facilities downtown.

 

* The Metro bus system brings thousands of people downtown, and offers residents without cars the opportunity to shop.

 

* Other positive changes include a new CVS Pharmacy, the Executive Center project and the renovation of the old library to serve city government.