Galesburg’s mayor believes the city needs to determine the scope and sustainability of a future community center before it settles on a location for the much-debated project.
In November, a Community Center Task Force recommended the old Galesburg Public Library at 40 E. Simmons St. as one potential location for a multi-site community center option. However last week, WGIL reported the city is not currently interested in the soon to be listed for sale property.
Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman says the proposed community center will be a major topic for a strategic planning study being conducted over the next few months.
“Determining how we want to move forward on the community center initiative is definitely part of that process,” Schwartzman said.
“The city is not ready to purchase any buildings until the Council determines what the scope of the community center initiative is.”
Martin Reichel, treasurer of the Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees, tells WGIL the asking price for the old library is $750,000. Proceeds from the sale of the old library will go toward funding a new $22 million library set to open at 264 W. Main St. later this month.
“There are several buildings that have been proposed,” Schwartzman said. “More important than the building is what will take place in it.
“We have to determine this second piece before we can adequately assess the fit of any of the potential buildings/locations.”
A ‘reset in dialogue’ was needed
Schwartzman and City Manager Eric Hanson say they understand how the community center issue may appear to be stalled, but both agree a reset in dialogue was needed after more than two years of contentious debate about the project.
“Given where we landed at the end of 2023, with too much friction and finger pointing, I thought it is prudent to reevaluate the community center project when tensions had relaxed,” Schwartzman said. “All Councilors have stated publicly that they want a community center in Galesburg.
“Soon, we will be able to get together and work out what this looks like.”
Hanson said the key for the community center project going forward is to have more productive dialogue.
“The Council still recognizes there are varying opinions in the public,” Hanson said. “It hasn’t gone away and it isn’t going to go away, which is OK.
“I think we just need to reset and decide through this process, relative to all the other priorities that we have in front of us.”
Hanson said he talks to the Council on a regular basis about the community center issue.
“We started our kickoff for the strategic plan and I fully expect the community center to be a substantial part of that conversation over the next three or four months,” Hanson said.
“It’s important to remember there are two facets to any project: one is, what does it cost to build it, and the other is, what does it cost to run it.”
Mayor: Community center issue will be resolved this year
Schwartzman said he believes the community center issue will be resolved by the end of 2024.
“I am still a supporter of the plan to create a robust community center that addresses many of our community needs, particularly among our youth,” said the mayor. “I am confident that our Councilors will put their minds and hearts together and support something that will have a very positive impact in our community.
“I hope to have this resolved by the end of the year.”
