A month after Macomb was denied a grant to help fund the Downtown Revitalization Project, the city has jumped straight into Plan B.
Within the next six months, residents will see a facelift to the downtown square.
Jim Burke with Hutchison Engineering is working with the city to help modernize Macomb’s downtown. Burke says,”With no funding from ITEP, the city will have to split the project into two phases. Phase one is to mill and overlay the street surrounding the square, and then two years from now we come back for phase two. That way in two years, applying for the ITEP again we only have to worry about the streetscape.”
ITEP, Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, provides funds to community based projects that enhance the transportation experience and expand travel choices.
Mayor Mike Inman says this isn’t a band-aid fix, because the newly surfaced road will last for the next 15-20 years.
Bids for the project will go out after the first of the year and the city plans on starting the project in the spring with completion in the fall.
City officials stress the square will not be closed during construction and Heritage Days and other summer activities.
