City designates Preston Jackson Park, moves forward with Great Streets Initiative for Jasper St. Corridor
Decatur, IL – Highlights from the June 20, 2022 Decatur City Council meeting include: the designation of Preston Jackson Park; the approval of interior modifications at the Decatur Public Library to support Workforce Development; the approval of an agreement with Teska Associates, Inc. for the Jasper Street Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods Plan; and an approved agreement with the Tjaty Group for a new Youth Leadership and Intervention program.
The green space downtown Decatur between William St. and North St. will now be known as Preston Jackson Park following a unanimous vote from the Decatur City Council. Mr. Jackson is a native of Decatur who grew up here and has since established himself as a successful sculptor and teacher. One of his sculptures is currently on display in the middle of the green space – now named the Preston Jackson Park. A formal park dedication will be planned for a later date when Mr. Jackson and his family are able to attend.
The Council also accepted a bid for interior modifications of the second floor of the Decatur Public Library, which will ultimately support workforce development for the community. The contract with Interior Specialty Construction, Inc. of Decatur, IL will fund the addition of classrooms, offices, and other improvements.
The project is supported by Workforce Investment Solutions and Richland Community College, and is synergistic with earlier council decisions to co-locate a future Thinkwell Makerspace, Project Read Plus, and the offices of the Community Investment Corporation of Decatur all together in the library building. All of the listed agencies (and potentially others not located in the building) are expected to use the new classrooms and offices. Funding for these improvements comes from American Rescue Plan (ARP) revenues. Workforce development is one of the top priorities of the Council.
Also on Monday night, the City Council approved an agreement with Teska Associates, Inc. for the Jasper Street Corridor Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods Plan. The background of this project was discussed with City Council and the public during the June 13, 2022 study session. Overall goals of the project are to learn more about:
1. Multi-modal transportation design for all users
2. Neighborhood Outreach and Capacity Building
3. Fostering a sense of pride and place with adjacent neighborhoods
4. Activation of vacant land along the corridor, including concept plans for three vacant and/or underutilized priority sites
The total funding of this project will come from Decatur Urbanized Area Transportation Study (DUATS) planning funds. Teska will also assist with financial plans, including grant opportunities for implementing final recommendations. This project could serve as a roadmap for other neighborhood revitalization efforts – one of the top priorities of the Decatur City Council.
In addition to investing in infrastructure and neighborhoods, the Mayor and City Council made a move to further invest in Decatur’s youth. They approved an agreement with the Tjaty Group to implement a youth leadership, intervention, and development program, which will be managed by Kyle Risby.
The program will target young people in 6th through 8th grades in Decatur, with a goal of changing behaviors to mitigate disharmony and violence in the community. It begins summer 2022.
City Council allocated $50,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) monies each year through 2025 to deploy a training and development program such as this. The hope is that the investment made with this agreement will lead to a successful program that attracts investment/partnerships from other organizations in Decatur.
More information about these topics can be found in the City Council Agenda packet, downloadable/viewable here: www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council-meetings/
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