Local developers aim to breathe new life into an historic downtown Galesburg building, planning a blend of upscale residential units and commercial spaces.
The project could create 10-14 residential units on the upper two floors, and one to four commercial tenants on the ground floor at 292 E. Simmons St., former site of such businesses as Brighter Life Bookshoppe, Illinois Power, the Chamber of Commerce and Gale Automotive Co. The property is the original the site of George Brown’s Corn Planter Works dating back to 1855.
Kit Wilcox, who operates popular restaurant and bar Cherry Street Brewing Company., is among a six-person investment group that purchased 292 E. Simmons St. from Michael Martin. Sale price was $150,000. Other primary owners in the group are Kit’s son C.C. Wilcox, along with Ryan Frakes and Ryan Greenwood.
“Our group has wanted to do something downtown for a while where we would fix up and bring apartments to an older building like this one,” said C.C. Wilcox.
“The big project of doing everything inside and outside really contingent on receiving some help from the city. We think it will check all of the boxes as far as financial incentives. But obviously, we’re willing to take on a lot of the risk, because downtown and the city needs something like this.”
The need for quality apartments in Galesburg is ‘huge’
Pictured is 292 E. Simmons St. The building was originally built and used by George W. Brown Corn Planter Works. (Photo courtesy Galesburg Public Library)
Wilcox said the group will continue to develop plans for the project through the end of the year and early next year, with hopes of starting an exterior makeover of the building in Spring 2025.
“I think everyone will be happy to learn we’re going to be fixing up the outside,” Wilcox said.
Wilcox said they would like to develop a minimum of 10, and up to 14 1- and 2-bedroom apartments on the second and third floors of the building.
“Aside from loving the building, bringing apartments is our main goal,” he said. “But it’s going to take a lot, because it would have to include all new mechanicals like plumbing, a sprinkler system and electrical. It will be very expensive to do.
“All of us in the group are either in property management or real estate, and we see such a need for quality apartments. It’s huge.”
Wilcox added, “Some people just want want to have to worry about yards and maintenance. And some want to actually live downtown, maybe because they work downtown, or they want to be able to walk to places to eat and enjoy entertainment.”
Because of the historic nature of the building, Wilcox said they may restore instead of replace exterior windows of the building. He said after sandblasting the existing blue paint, the group will determine whether it needs to remain or can maintain the original brick.
Prairie Antiques and More, which was displaced by a February fire that destroyed 149-151 E. Main St., will open soon on the ground level.
Developer envisions restaurant on street level
Wilcox said ideally one of the commercial spaces on the street level would be occupied by a restaurant.
“The restaurant is something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a few years, and is probably more of my thing,” he said. “But that’s about all I can say about that at this point.”
The investment group has not yet formally approached the city about the project, according to Wilcox, but plans to soon.
“I believe the city will be eager to talk to us and have something like this downtown,” Wilcox said. “I think they will be a good partner.”
