When the new Alsip Village garage was built in 1979 it was decided to include a weather station on the roof.  The intent was to provide a safe enclosed space to monitor severe weather threats, to be able to activate the Village Warning siren system and to alert standby emergency responders if needed.  This approach was to replace the then system of sending fire vehicles to the perimeters of the Village to stand watch and be able to help as needed.  Shortly after the station was completed the Cook County Department of Environmental Control was invited to participate in our project.  They gladly and quickly installed a battery of weather and air quality monitoring equipment.  The equipment continues to serve it's purpose to this day.  We collect extensive data summaries on a regular basis.  For a while the site also served as a teaching station for students from District 126 and High School District 218.