The holidays have passed, the decorations are down and now we are awaiting the arrival of Spring.
Fletcher Park construction continues with work on the open and enclosed pavilions and also on the bridges and wooden walkway. The old roof on the Sulphur Springs School was removed to facilitate its move to Fletcher Park. The roof was replaced and roofing paper applied before the late fall rains set in. The school still needs to be set in its permanent location once the ground dries out and the weather improves. During the first two phases of the park (land contouring and initial facilities) the Village will spend about $3.4 million consisting of revenue bonds, a $400,000 grant from the IDNR and about $400,000 in funds already set aside for a community park. Future phases to the park include trails, additional small pavilions, small play areas and may include tennis courts, a large open field for play activities and a swimming pool.
Speaking of money, the Village has kicked off its fundraising campaign to raise additional funds for some of the amenities in the park. The park will be opening this summer with or without the fund raising campaign. However fundraising will assist in buying some of the extras sooner rather than later. So what are some of those extras? They include additional lighting, additional landscaping, extra park benches, picnic tables, play ground equipment for some of the satellite play facilities within the park, and additional trails just to name a few. The nice thing about fundraising is that it gives individuals, families and businesses an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause and in this case that donation will make a lasting impression. The Village has partnered with The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County to help make giving easier and to provide donors with a tax deduction for their charitable gift. You and your family can help in three ways. First an immediate donation can be used to aid the park now, second by remembering Fletcher Park in your will you and your family can help provide for future growth and facilities and third many companies will match donations made by their employees to qualified organizations. You can reach the Foundation at 217-429-3000.
Construction work in the TIF area off 121 is on hold due to winter weather but should be picking up again when Spring gets here. The road that you see partially constructed (cleared corridor waiting for curb and concrete) is called East Village Parkway and will eventually have retail malls on each side of the street. While construction may be on hold due to weather, the behind-the-scenes economic development work on attracting businesses to the TIF area is in full gear. We anticipate some exciting announcements in the near future.
Also coming up in the near future an existing Mt. Zion business expects to be relocating between Pizza Hut and the Majestic Bingo Hall and a new subdivision within the Village for about 125 homes. Hmmmmm?
Don Robinson
Mayor
