Joliet AND Aurora Get Millions from State to Improve Downtown Areas

Things are looking up for the downtown areas of our area’s two largest towns.

Both Aurora and Joliet announced this week millions in grant money from the state’s Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program to improve and beautify their respective downtown areas!

In Joliet, a park is being built on the lot across from the Rialto Square Theater.

According to reporting from our sister station 1340 WJOL, “Potential key elements of City Square identified at that time included ample green space, flexible performance space, “red carpet” pavement connecting the Square to the Rialto Square Theatre, a library garden (which includes a storyteller corner), a water feature, unique lighting, seating nooks, and space for future large–scale iconic public art.”

In Aurora, $3,000,000 is coming to upgrade the Broadway/Rt. 25 corridor!

Part of the announcement reads, “The three-million-dollar investment in Aurora will focus on three key areas along downtown Aurora’s primary north-south business and commuter zone:  Funds will be directed to streetscape improvements to the public sidewalks along Broadway to enhance the pedestrian experience in Downtown Aurora, resulting in improved safety, better wayfinding signage, traffic calming, and enhanced outdoor dining and/or seating experiences.”

In all, $106 million will be given to communities around the state for downtown improvements. DeKalb, Lombard, Richton Park, Lansing and dozens more around the state.

Recipients & Location	Project Description	Funding
AltonWorks, Alton	Restoration of historic buildings for the Wedge Innovation Center incubator.	$3,000,000
City of Aledo	Roadway & streetscape improvements, including public plazas.	$3,000,000
City of Anna	Downtown streetscape & water/sewer improvements.	$812,930
City of Arcola	Downtown infrastructure improvements, including sanitary & stormwater sewer.	$1,040,000
City of Aurora	Broadway Ave. corridor street & streetscape improvements.	$3,000,000
City of Calumet City	Burnham Ave. corridor improvements.	$686,000
City of Carbondale	Downtown Arts & Entertainment District improvements.	$2,055,040
City of Carrollton	Courthouse square improvements.	$1,900,000
City of Collinsville	St. Louis Road & Collinsville Road corridor initiative.	$1,828,350
City of Danville	Walnut Street corridor reconstruction.	$3,000,000
City of Edwardsville	Water/sewer & streetscape improvements on Main Street.	$2,869,031
City of Flora	City grants for businesses making repairs/enhancements in commercial corridors.	$1,273,268
City of Galesburg	Simmons Street streetscape improvements/reconstruction	$2,082,494
City of Greenville	New downtown public plaza, including pavilion & visitors center.	$1,900,000
City of Jacksonville	South Main St. reconstruction (continuation of Downtown Turnaround Project).	$2,975,161
City of Joliet	Construction of “City Square” on Chicago St. corridor.	$3,000,000
City of Kewanee	Downtown streetscape improvements.	$2,954,460
City of Litchfield	Rehab of historic downtown building.	$398,552
City of Mattoon	Downtown lighting, parking and accessibility improvements.	$525,000
City of Moline	7th Ave. reconstruction & connector project.	$3,000,000
City of Monmouth	Downtown Square revitalization.	$3,000,000
City of Ottawa	Construction of an outdoor riverfront amphitheater	$3,000,000
City of Peoria Public Works	Wisconsin Ave. corridor project.	$3,000,000
City of Pittsfield	Monroe Street reconstruction/streetscaping.	$2,842,129
City of Quincy	6th Street Corridor reconstruction/ streetscaping	$2,400,000
City of Rochelle	Downtown parking construction & rehab.	$1,151,794
City of Rock Falls	Acquisition and redevelopment of the abandoned Micro Industries property.	$2,200,717
City of Rockford	Madison St. corridor reconstruction and utilities improvements.	$2,087,966
City of Taylorville	Downtown square/business corridor streetscape and infrastructure improvements.	$ 3,000,000
City of Wenona	Downtown streetscape improvements, including sidewalks, lighting and charging stations.	$969,580
City of Woodstock	Woodstock Opera House renovations.	$2,964,553
Deeply Rooted Productions, Chicago	Construction of South Side Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood.	$2,999,414
E. G. Woode, L3C, Chicago	Renovating a property to create a food hub/incubator in Englewood.	$1,164,683
GT Partners, LLC, Rockford	Historic theater Times Theatre renovation.	$2,999,996
Historic Champaign Holdings, Champaign	Multi-use redevelopment of historical downtown buildings.	$3,000,000
Long Family Management LLC, DeKalb	Acquisition/rehab of vacant commercial property.	$566,500
Prairie Food Co-op, Lombard	Construction of community grocery store in downtown Lombard.	$807,835
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Rock Island	Downtown Rock Island Revitalization (multi-faceted)	$3,000,000
Re:PurposeDevelopment LLC, Centralia	Winery Block Downtown renovation for mixed-used.	$ 1,000,000
Village of Bourbonnais	Bourbonnais Community Campus and Village Green improvements.	$3,000,000
Village of Bradley	Route 50 corridor improvements.	$ 3,000,000
Village of Davis Junction	Commercial development and infrastructure improvements.	$ 3,000,000
Village of Fairmont City	Cookson St. corridor roadway, streetscape & drainage improvements.	$1,270,696
Village of Lansing	Business district sidewalk replacement.	$875,000
Village of Maywood	5th Avenue and Lake Street Business Corridor enhancements.	$2,252,000
Village of Niles	Improvements at civic center, including plaza development.	$1,800,000
Village of North Utica	Redevelopment of vacant lot, including utilities & commercial space for small businesses.	$ 1,249,969
Village of Peotone	Downtown Street reconstruction and streetscape.	$2,458,071
Village of Rantoul	Downtown Master Plan implementation and overall Downtown revitalization including infrastructure improvements.	$3,000,000
Village of Richton Park	Redevelopment of Town Center properties.	$734,933