Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson joined WGIL’s Jay Redfern and Tyler Gumm on Galesburg’s Morning News to preview the Monday, April 7, 2025, City Council meeting.
Among the items discussed were:
Summer Events
- River to River Car Cruise: The annual car cruise night is moving to a Saturday this year and will be held earlier in the season. The River 2 River Cruise night is scheduled to be held on Main Street and connecting side streets in the downtown area on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from noon to 9 p.m. with a road closure time of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. In order to close Main Street (US 150) the Illinois Department of Transportation requires approval from the City Council.
- Railroad Days: The road closure for Railroad Days, scheduled for June 24 through the 30, will be up for approval. The closure of Main Street (U.S. Route 150) from Seminary Street to the west side of the square requires state approval.
Downtown Development
- New Wine Bar: The City Council will consider approving a new liquor license for Fisk Bier & Wine, a new bar opening in the former La Cantinita space downtown. READ MORE HERE.
Parks and Trails
- Lake Storey Trail: Bids will be considered for the widening and resurfacing of a section of the Lake Storey trail on the north side. This is a "continuation" of ongoing work to eventually create a "four and a half miles" loop around the lake. This contract will require the contractor to widen and resurface a portion of the existing asphalt path on the north side of Lake Storey. The path is currently 5 feet wide and will be widened to 10 feet and then overlaid with new asphalt. Similar projects were completed on 500-foot sections of the path in 2020, 2023, and 2024. The project will start where the last project ended and widen an additional 575 feet. This project works towards the goal of improving the entirety of the existing path on the north side of Lake Storey
- Cooke Park: A bid for construction work at Cooke Park will be up for approval. This marks the first phase of the park's development, made possible by volunteer efforts, staff work on an OSLAD grant, and a significant $500,000 contribution. The initial phase includes playground equipment, a shelter, and a walking path. The timeline for this initial phase aims for completion "before the end of the year."
- Standish Park: While not on the immediate agenda, Hanson discussed the long-term vision for Standish Park to become the "community space it was intended to be." He acknowledged its current state as more of an "arboretum" but sees "so much more potential" and envisions it as a community-driven project linking the city, college, county, and downtown.
Railroad Infrastructure
- Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements: The council will discuss safety improvements at railroad crossings in the southeast section of the city. The improvements will include arms and signals, a necessary first step towards potentially establishing quiet zones in the future.
- South Street Underpass: Hanson is traveling to Washington D.C. to discuss the South Street underpass project with legislators and BNSF officials. The project remains a priority, with current efforts focused on securing funding for the initial design phase.
City Fleet Vehicle Lease Program
- The Council will be asked to waive normal policy to approve lease agreements for approximately 20 city vehicles (pickup trucks, mini SUVs, vans, and a car) through a partnership with Enterprise.
- The five-year lease program is projected to save the city "maybe as much as a million dollars" over a 10-year period on its primary vehicle fleet (excluding fire trucks and heavy equipment).
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