September 13, 2022 — by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — After they tabled the issue for one week, aldermen voted to support a resolution supporting the jurisdictional transfer of 36th Street (from State Street to Broadway) to the state and the acceptance of State Street by the city.

Chuck Bevelheimer, director of planning and development, explained during Monday’s Quincy City Council meeting that the city would apply for a $12.5 million grant ($10 million in federal dollars, $2.5 million in state dollars) that would lead to the addition of curbs, gutters and sidewalks to State Street, an Illinois state route (Ill. 96), from 24th Street to 36th Street. Money would come from the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

“One of the things that concerns us is we’re not long on details of this,” Mike Farha, R-4, said. “That does present some problems. But if we’re just asking for this, and we still have the option of not accepting responsibility of 36th Street and not picking up the responsibility for state support … “

Bevelheimer explained no transfer of streets from the city to the state or vice versa would happen until the project was complete. He thought the project would start within the next five years.

“There’s elements here that have to be worked out certainly, but this does provide the city a unique opportunity, at least since I’ve been with the city, to get State Street rebuilt by the state of Illinois,” he said.

Jeff Bergman, R-2, was cynical.

“If five years down the road, it comes in and all of a sudden it’s $3 million or $4 million more, are the state and the feds going to pony up the difference? Or is that going to be on us?” he asked.

Bevelheimer says State Street would remain a state road until the city will accept it.

“We would not accept jurisdiction of State Street until it’s in its final form,” he said.

Bevelheimer also said that stretch of road is one of the top priorities of the regional transportation plan. 

“It’s been on our radar for years,” he said.

“If this were to play off the way it’s been envisioned, I think it would be a good thing,” he said. “I approve the concept and the idea, but unfortunately, we are talking about the state. I don’t have a whole lot of faith in the state as far as current infrastructure maintenance or coming through what they promised they’re going to do for us, or in the timeframe that they’ve done it. 

“There’s a lot of what ifs, what might happen, what could happen. I do believe this will pass, and it’s hopefully going to fly whatever we get it. But I’m also very, very, very, very, very hesitant that it’s going to play out the way that we’re envisioning. … I hope it does. I think it’d be a great thing for the city.”

The resolution passed 12-2, with Farha and Bergman voting no.

Quincy Mayor Mike Troup issued proclamations for Sept. 7 as “Friends of the Castle Day,” Sept. 16 as “International Stinson Club Day,” Sept. 12-16 as “Chamber of Commerce Week” Sept. 12 through Oct. 12 as “Quincy Public Library — Big Read: Quincy Month” and Sept. 14 as “Star-Spangled Banner Day.”

Click the Purchase Story button below to order a print of this story. We will print it for you on matte photo paper to keep forever.

Do you want to receive the Muddy River News newsletter in your inbox every morning?

Enter your email address, click "Subscribe" and don't forget to check your email to confirm your FREE subscription.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Filed Under: Noteworthy, Top Stories Tagged With: Quincy City Council, State Street

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says he’s going to lean on an old friend to help pay for the restoration of Quincy Bay, one of the largest natural bays of the Upper Mississippi River. “I happen to know this president, and I'm going to take advantage of it,” Durbin said Friday afternoon as … ...Read Full Article about Durbin says he will ‘take advantage’ of friendship with Biden to get money secured for restoration of Quincy Bay

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — Raymond “Mike” Tyler is the deputy chief of operations for the Quincy Police Department, and Travis Wiemelt is deputy chief of administration. Adam Yates, chief of the Quincy Police Department, announced the appointments Friday morning in an email sent to local media.  Both deputy chiefs … ...Read Full Article about Tyler, Wiemelt tabbed as deputy chiefs for Quincy Police Department

The cool thing about life storytelling is it often takes me in unexpected directions.  I recently partnered with the Quincy Public Library for its “Big Read” event. One thousand copies of the book “Sitting Pretty,” written by Rebekah Taussig, are available for free to people living in the … ...Read Full Article about Author of this year’s ‘Big Read’ book says stories help people make sense of chaos, contradictions built into life

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — John Frankenhoff put his cards on the table, then challenged other Quincy Park Board commissioners to do the same. Some showed their hand. Others chose to keep their cards close to their chest. The future of Art Keller Marina, which has lost money in each of the past three years and … ...Read Full Article about Four Park Board commissioners show support for keeping marina open through 2025; vote could come in October

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — Voters may get to weigh in on the sale of a small portion of Parker Heights Park on Quincy’s north end. Carla Gordon and John Gebhardt asked commissioners not to sell the 1.13-acre parcel of land to Knapheide Manufacturing during Wednesday night’s Quincy Park Board meeting. Both were … ...Read Full Article about Park Board debates putting sale of small parcel of land in Parker Heights Park on ballot

Muddy River News LLC 535 Maine, Suite 4A Quincy, IL 62301

Phone: (217) 577-8044 Email: news@muddyrivernews.com

Copyright © 2022 • Muddy River News LLC • All Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy