Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson joined WGIL’s Jay Redfern and Tyler Gumm on Galesburg’s Morning News to preview the March 3, 2025, City Council meeting.
Among the items discussed were:
Cooke Park Project
- Naming Resolution: The city council will consider a resolution to officially name the property at 652 W. Second St. as Cooke Parke.
- Project Status: The project is in the design phase, nearing completion. Bids for construction are expected to go out in April, with construction potentially starting in the summer. The park is expected to be completed by the end of the year or early next year.
- Historical Significance: The park will be located on the former site of Cook School, named after Milo D. Cooke, a teacher, school board member, and police magistrate who supported music education.
Airport Master Plan (ALP)
- Consultant Agreement: The city administration is recommending approval of an agreement for consultant services for the airport master plan.
- Purpose: The ALP update is required by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics and the FAA to allocate state and federal funding for airport improvements.
- Project Cost and Funding: The ALP is a costly endeavor, totaling almost $450,000. The local share is approximately $13,000.
- Outdated Plan: The current airport layout plan is about two decades old.
- Terminal Future: The vacant terminal is expected to be demolished. There is potential for private terminal or hangar development in that area.
Demolition Proceedings
- Initiation of Proceedings: The council will be asked to approve the initiation of demolition proceedings for eight properties around the city.
- Cost Estimates: Demolition costs are estimated to range from $6,000 to $23,000 per property.
- Process: The city must follow a legal process that can take 8 months to 2 years before demolishing a property.
- Reasons for Demolition: Properties are targeted for demolition due to dilapidation, deterioration, vacancy, unpaid taxes, or abandonment. The aim is to clean up neighborhoods and encourage reinvestment.
- Funding Sources: Demolition is funded through general fund money, community reinvestment funds, and grants from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), which reimburses the city for residential housing removal.
EV Superchargers
- Private Project: The new EV superchargers at the East Main Street Hy-Vee are a privately funded project by Tesla and Hy-Vee. The city's involvement was limited to issuing a permit. Hanson emphasized, "the city didn't have anything to do with this project beyond issuing them a permit."
- Economic Impact: The chargers are expected to attract EV drivers to Galesburg, who will spend money at local businesses. "This will get people off the interstate that otherwise would not get off the interstate to stop in Galesburg, charge their vehicle and spend money here," according to Hanson.
- Accessibility: The chargers are intended to be adaptable across the spectrum of EVs, not just Teslas.
Upcoming Projects and Seasonal Activities
- Construction Season: The city is preparing for construction season, including street, sidewalk, and park repairs.
- Salt Supply: The mild winter has resulted in a large supply of salt for next winter.