Grants Awarded by State to Aid Towns in Streets and Downtown Renewal
Gov's Big Bucks Revitalize Starved Rock Towns
It's time for a facelift in the heart of some Starved Rock area communities, thanks to a generous financial push from the state!
On Tuesday, Governor J.B. Pritzker officially announced a whopping $30 million in state-funded grants for 25 fortunate cities, including Mendota, Spring Valley, and Walnut. Each town's individual projects aim to breathe new life into their downtown and main drag areas.
In Mendota, they're leading the charge with a $1.9 million grant for the "Rise From the Ashes Revitalization Project." This ambitious plan tackles a city-owned, multi-purpose building devastated by a fire in 2022. The goal? To transform this once-damaged structure into a hub for sales, events, and community gatherings.
Spring Valley is also getting in on the action. A $695,000 grant will help revamp streetscapes in the 100 and 200 blocks of St. Paul Street, making it easier for folks to explore local businesses.
Lastly, Walnut received a grant just shy of $300,000 for its final phase of rehabilitation efforts. These improvements include better sidewalks, modern street lights, and fresh asphalt pavements, all geared towards attracting more visitors and revitalizing the village.
These grants are aimed at promoting investment in infrastructure and public amenities, ultimately inviting people back into Main Street districts and city centers.
[1] The "Rise From the Ashes Revitalization Project" focuses on revitalizing a multi-purpose building at 704 Illinois Avenue in Mendota, Illinois, which was severely damaged by a fire in 2022. This project received a grant of $1,988,625 under the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets program from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.[2] The project aims to provide spaces for businesses and organizations, support community activities, convert the upper floor into a co-working space with internet access, and enhance the overall downtown area's vitality and economic activity.
[1] In Mendota, the "Rise From the Ashes Revitalization Project," funded by a $1.9 million grant, aims to transform a city-owned building at 704 Illinois Avenue, ravaged by a fire in 2022, into a hub for sales, events, and community gatherings, bolstering the downtown area's overall vibrancy and economic activity.
[2] Aiming to rejuvenate its main street, Spring Valley is utilizing a $695,000 grant to revamp the streetscapes in the 100 and 200 blocks of St. Paul Street, making it more appealing for people to visit and support local businesses.
[3] The village of Walnut is using a nearly $300,000 grant for its final phase of rehabilitation, focusing on improvements like better sidewalks, modern street lights, and fresh asphalt pavements, all intended to attract more visitors, stimulate economic growth, and revitalize the community.
