City Council Revises Plan To Fund Boys & Girls Club, Drops Community Center

Galesburg City Council Spring 2015Following months of debate and more than a year of discussion, Galesburg will not name a temporary community center.

Galesburg City Council members made that decision last night, revising the original proposal to fund the Boys & Girls Club of Knox County $115,000 from the sale of the cities previous center.

However, aldermen revised a plan to help finance the club through a new grant proposal. $65,100 could be given to the club, funding various amenities such as a boiler replacement, Internet maintenance, and a number of other smaller items.

First Ward Alderman Angela Bastian also proposed adding new lighting to the list, but at a later time.

The issue of the community center itself was essentially dropped from contention following opening discussion. 5th Ward Alderman Peter Schwartzman was the only council member to address his concern for the center following what seemed like a shifted decision.

“We’ve been two years out and we don’t have a community center,” says Schwartzman. “In my mind, and going on record–I think this is a no-brainer that this becomes our interim community center. If anyone wants to share an argument why it shouldn’t be feel free to do so, but I think it deserves that.”

City Manager Todd Thompson added that it is unclear where funding for the new grant would come from. Council members are expected to discuss and potentially vote on the proposal in two weeks.

Meanwhile, the council approved granting $500,000 in TIF increment funds for expansion at Discovery Depot. Those funds will be reimbursed over a five-year time period.

ReCENT POSTS

Loading...