A longtime Galesburg garage and vehicle storage facility is getting financial assistant from the city to modernize its business.
Aldermen on Monday unanimously approved nearly $19,000 in Tax Increment Financing funding to cover a portion of the expense to modernize the elevator and replace the garage door at Steve’s Smith and Allen Garage at 41 N. Kellogg St. The vote was 6-0 — with Sixth Ward Alderperson Sarah Carrington absent Monday.
The business services vehicles on the ground level of the North Kellogg Street facility, while providing vehicle storage on the second and third floors, and in the basement.
Owner Nancy Brown tells WGIL the second and third floors can house approximately 87 vehicles.
The existing car elevator, which has been maintained under its existing maintenance agreement since 1981, failed weight in its most recent state Inspection. The company that maintains the elevator notified Brown that the State of Illinois will lock the elevator, and the company would no longer be able to provide maintenance unless the system is repaired and modernized.
Due to the age of the associated equipment, parts are difficult to find or fabricate and there are not many mechanics available who are familiar with the older equipment to work on it. Additionally, the commercial entry garage door and operator have surpassed their useful life span and need replacement with new equipment.
Total project cost is estimated at $62,548 — $53,650 for the elevator modernization and $8,898 for the overhead garage door replacement.
The property is located within the TIF IV Redevelopment Area and a TIF incentive not to exceed $18,764.64 was approved Monday.
City administration believes a benefit to the public is the ability to retain a longtime downtown business while minimizing their use of public parking lots for interim parking.
Bob Bondi, owner of the Bondi Building and the attached garage, said while the Otis vehicle elevator in the garage has been updated over the years, some of the parts date back to the building’s creation in 1928.
The estimated start date of the project will be March 1, with an anticipated completion date of July 31.
Owner Nancy Brown was married for 49 years to Steve Brown, who owned and operated Smith & Allen Garage from 1988 until his death May 9, 2024.
In other action Monday, aldermen unanimously approved a lease agreement for a 2025 Elgin Pelican Street Sweeper. The City Council waived normal purchasing policies and approved the quote from Key Equipment & Supply Co. of Bridgeton, Missouri, for a four-year lease agreement. Total cost of the lease is estimated at $251,918.92, and not to exceed $374,918.92.
