Two years after the Great Highway closed to vehicles, city officials face a $13.2 million question: Should the roadway be reopened to cars? The existing traffic signals need significant updates, dwarfing the comparatively modest $700,000 used to build Sunset Dunes Park.

A few years ago, a sheltered bus stop on East Cota Street offered travelers two full benches. Now, those seats have disappeared, leaving the corner bare and raising questions about the subtle changes that shape our communities.

Eldridge’s City Council voted on December 15 to “begin the process” of closing its Community Center and Rollerskating Park. Though widely recognized for its rink, the facility is also a hub for public events. Advocates insist this vote is not the final say in the center’s fate.