Galesburg’s mayor says the time is now for city leaders to make good on what he believes is the community’s desire for a community center. At least one City Council member, however, says the next move is up to Mayor Peter Schwartzman.
After a nearly 10-month quiet period, the hot button issue resurfaced Monday when Schwartzman encouraged supporters to question the status of a proposed community center before the City Council budget work session.
All but of one the 16 citizens who spoke Monday voiced support of a proposed community center. Some questioned whether aldermen still backed the project.
Schwartzman tells WGIL, “I recognize that we hired a new city manager late last year in the wake of a lot of community discord surrounding many issues, including the community center. We needed some time to let people calm down so that ‘cooler heads could prevail.’
“(But) I think a year is more than enough time for that to happen and I believe it is time for our city’s leaders to make good on the community’s desire for a community center.”
Schwartzman says aldermen need to push project forward
Schwartzman said he has been frustrated since 2016 when the city lost what he calls its last community center — the Galesburg Boys and Girls Club — to arson.
Leading up to Monday’s meeting, Schwartzman sent a group email to subscribed supporters/interested citizens encouraging them to show up to Monday’s meeting to “come and share your opinion/thoughts.”
Previously: Mission reset: Mayor says Galesburg should determine scope of community center before location
Schwartzman notes while a community survey and his own personal canvassing of neighborhoods show support of a community center, “there has been very little spoken” about the topic since the Community Center Task Force finished its work late in 2023.
“(Monday’s) agenda saw the city administration provide detailed accounts of all revenues and expenditures for 2024 and a budget for 2025,” Schwartzman said. “It is the first time we, the elected officials, and the public have been able to see what the city plans to do next year.
“Hence, I sent an email to a growing list of residents who have asked me to update them on any progress on the community center.”
Schwartzman said he believes it’s up to city aldermen to push the project forward.
“The Council has seven voting members on this matter,” Schwartzman said. “I believe they need to express their support of it and when they do, (City Manger Eric Hanson) is ready to put his tremendous staff to work to find a workable solution that everyone can get behind.
“Rather than focusing on our differences, we can do much more together. We are Galesburg, all of us.”
City manager: Community center remains in the budget
Hanson dispelled comments by several citizens who erroneously questioned why a community center project was not included in the 2025 budget.
“The community center is fully budgeted at $2.569 million which is every penny of the remaining bond fund plus whatever grants that would go to that,” Hanson said during meeting.
Hanson also took exception to some public comments Monday that inferred the city does not invest in the community, noting the budget includes nearly $11.5 million in community investment.
“Anybody who would suggest that the city is not investing in the community is not being honest,” he said. “And I believe the Council needs to articulate back to the public that we are making investments in this community at a significant level.”
Fifth Ward alderperson Heather Acerra tells WGIL she believes the onus to move a community center forward is on the mayor, not the Council.
“As was stated by staff, there is money in the budget for such a project,” Acerra said. “That said, (Schwartzman) has offered no viable plan. I will listen and consider any reasonable proposal which should include specific measurable goals and operational costs.
“At the meeting, we discussed the millions of dollars which currently go toward community cultural, educational and social service concerns. At our strategic planning session in August, we discussed many additional potential projects and goals. We do not have the money to do everything we would like to and, as with any enterprise, we will need to prioritize.
“Since the mayor feels so strongly about a community center, he should work to design and present a plan with specifics for consideration, rather than put it back on the Council to figure it out.”
Mayor pitches venue hall as ‘best path forward’
In a proposal first shared with his email group, Schwartzman said he believes the city should explore the acquisition of Cedar Creek Hall venue center, 571 E. North St., for the possible site of a community center.
Schwartzman tells WGIL, “I have looked at our budget. I have looked at many options. I believe the Cedar Creek solution provides us the best path forward.
“As stated in the email, with the monies we have allotted in 2025 for a community center ($2.56 million), plus the $1.25 million that we have been promised from the state and the federal government, we have enough money to purchase this property, make improvements to it, and pay for its operational costs for two years.
“Community centers are all over Illinois and beyond. Many function operationally with monies coming from outside entities. I am confident that we can do the same. We just need to try.”
Schwartzman added, “I believe that the Council will set aside personal differences they have and work together for the betterment of the community that we all love and cherish. We can all win together.”
At least one alderman favors ‘south side’ center
Seventh Ward Alderman Steve Cheesman said, “I am certainly ready to get this resolved. I look forward to getting a decision made soon. Everyone deserves that.”
Dwight White, Ward 4 Council member, questions whether the Council is united in its desire for a community center.
“Almost every City Council member says they’re in favor of it, but they seem not to want to move forward on it,” White said. “I’m in favor of trying to get it on the south side of town, but really, it’s in the court of the other aldermen.
“They have the voting block, and it’s up to them to decide where it’s going to be, when it’s going to be, and if it’s going to be. All I can do is go with the flow.”
