Design work is complete and bids for construction work will soon go out for a nearly $2.5 million project that will beautify a portion of Downtown Galesburg.
The City of Galesburg received a $2 million Rebuild Downtown and Main Streets grant in 2022 to make improvements to Parking Lot H and the 200 block of East Simmons Street.
Aaron Gavin, city of Galesburg engineer, tells WGIL the improvements will include new asphalt surfacing, concrete islands, landscaping, decorative fencing, and a proposed covered parking area.
Improvements to Simmons Street between Kellogg and Prairie streets will also be made as part of the grant funded project. This will include a new asphalt surface, curbing, sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping.
Gavin said the city has advertised the bid to contractors and is scheduled to open bids June 28. It will then go to City Council for review and approval of the bids in mid-July. This puts the start time for the project around the end of July or early August.
“I had hoped to be starting the project earlier than we are, but the design process took longer than we originally anticipated,” Gavin said.
“I’m happy with the final design though and excited to see the improvements that are going to be made to that area of downtown.”
A new configuration of the parking lot would eliminate two entry drives on Kellogg Street to increase pedestrian safety. An added entry drive on Simmons Street would improve vehicular circulation.
The proposed covered parking area would be along the south and east sides of the parking lot. It would serve a dual purpose of providing covered parking, while allowing a sheltered area for downtown events and festivals.
The improvements to the parking lot and the street closely follow the city’s Design Development of Downtown Public Spaces plan that was prepared in 2016.
Originally, total estimated cost for the project is approximately $2.45 million. The grant award was for $2,082,500, and local match funds will be used to cover the difference.
