Projects show local history in the making

One of the pleasures of community living is watching change take place. It's especially enjoyable in towns of McCook's size, because you know the places by sight and the people by name.

For example, take what's going on this summer in McCook. This very day, traffic switched to the all-new concrete lanes of traffic on the south side of U.S. Highway 6-34, giving local residents and travelers their first trips ever over the smooth, solid mid-town paving. Although it will be another four months until the other side of the highway paving is done downtown, it is good to get the feel of what the completed project will be like.

Then, Tuesday, another major opening takes place, with the city offering free, first-day swimming at the renovated public pool on West M Street. While the kids missed out on swimming in the first half of the summer, it looks as if they will have great conditions this week, with temperatures near or above 100 degrees giving young swimmers good reason to take to the water.

The pool and the paving are in the public spotlight, but major changes are taking place in the business district as well. The most dramatic change in recent weeks was the opening of the new Blockbuster store on the North U.S. Highway 83 corridor.Taking over the short-lived AutoZone building, the new video store looks like it was made for the location with its open display area and nationally familiar blue-and-gold signs.

Just down the highway to the south is another McCook newcomer, Jonzeez Java. In a tiny white building in front of the Westview Plaza, the handy, drive-up store offers quick, tasty hot and cold drinks.

Further west, additional changes are on the way. Starting next week, the Wal-Mart Super Center will start a storewide makeover, with new flooring, painting and display changes giving the store a fresh look and new product lines.

And, Wednesday at 3 p.m., a groundbreaking ceremony is set for the new Heritage Senior Center renovation and expansion project.

In times gone by, sidewalk superintendents used to catch a lot of flak. But you can see what attracted them, as it is fascinating to see projects in progress.

And -- the good thing is -- more change is coming. The $1.5 million McMillen Hall project, featuring the new Hormel Business & Technology Center, is slated for unveiling in August, and the new 21st Century Systems center -- to be originally located at the college -- is due to debut in November.

And the action will not end there. Officials from Dutton-Lainson in Hastings have confirmed that they are very close to finalizing plans for a showroom in McCook which will feature cabinets and countertops.

Yes, lots is happening, and more projects are in the planning stage. It's living history, and for those of us who live here, it's fun to watch.