Top Evergreen Park Stories of 2011 (Part 1 of 2)

What was your most memorable moment from 2011? Whether you protested the Sisters of Mercy or Meijer/Menards developments, were trapped in an 18-inch snow blizzard, or witnessed the Army Spc. Jared Stanker street sign dedication, our town has had an interesting year filled with ups, downs and a few stories that have landed on national pages. Patch recounts a few of them here, not in any particular order. Check back tomorrow for the second half.

Who can forget the blizzard that blanketed the Chicago area with over 18 inches of snow? I sure can't! In just a few hours, the snowstorm The blizzard was so monstrous, that the . Some snowstorm! To top it all off, all of the snow melted within about 10 days. Wow.

After was sold in 2010, Trustees approved plans earlier this year to build a Meijer/Menards-anchored outdoor mall that will replace it. The development sparked an uproar among communities on both sides of Western Ave.

Sisters of Mercy Development

When the village board de-annexed a plot of land near 99th Street and Central Park Avenue and gave it to the Sisters of Mercy, it was under the condition that he nuns would use it for "religious educational purposes." But when the sisters shared plans for a retirement center for retired clergy, it villagers, including officials, rallied against them. Two residents were named on a law suit that the village filed against the nuns in 2008, and recently, The issue remains unsolved and a spot to watch in 2012.

After a list of economic problems over the years, including several stores closing, , one of the country’s first enclosed malls, faced foreclosure earlier this Summer. But in late August, the .

In Late August, Trustees approved plans for a new fitness center in the space of the former Office Depot a sign of life at the economically-stricken Plaza. However, Trustees questioned the profitability for the village, since much of the revenue would come from memberships. Trustees also had security concerns of the 24-hour facility. Planet Fitness representatives have since began construction, however the company responsible for constructing the electrical, mechanical and plumbing for the new fitness center, claiming the company is not complying with area pay or safety standards and using non-union workers.   

Jeremy Esparza's winning kick blasted the Mustangs into the high school football quarterfinals in early November. After calmly striding onto the field with 12.4 seconds left in Class 4A second-round playoff game, the soccer player turned football player punched in the biggest kick of his career with a 28-yard game-winning field goal.