Ottawa council eyes riverside amphitheater possibility with grant application

Ottawa has big aspirations for use of a Rebuild Downtown and Main Street Capital Grant — should it be awarded one.

Tuesday, the Ottawa City Council approved using $1 million in tax increment financing funds for a proposed $4 million amphitheater to be built in the former location of Central School. The other $3 million would be covered by a Rebuild Downtown and Main Street Capital Grant if Ottawa were to receive it. The approval is contingent on the city receiving the grant money.

Ottawa Mayor Dan Aussem said the city can get up to $3 million in the grant, and while this specific grant doesn’t require the city to match funding, the city scores points on its application by designating funds for the project.

The grant application has already been submitted and the city will wait back to hear if the application has been selected. Several communities in the Illinois Valley have submitted applications for this grant.

The amphitheater would be part of an overhaul of development along the north side of the Illinois River. The Ottawa YMCA’s new Healthy Living Campus will be built along the Illinois riverfront. The facility will include a natatorium with a competition pool and a warm water therapy pool, group exercise studios, children’s adventure center, child watch areas, family locker rooms, multi-generational space for seniors and teens, along with community gathering spaces similar to living rooms for people to meet and socialize.

Adding excitement to Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners for the evening were Shepherd students Diego Martinez and Lila Windy along with Marquette students Giada Pattelli and Caden Shreve, while Marquette student John VanWiggeren played the role of the city attorney, Shepherd student Grant Smithmeyer played the city engineer and Marquette student Hunter Hopkins played the city clerk.

Playing the role of city treasurer was Shepherd student Charlie Woodyear, and another Shepherd student, Belle Markey, played Fire Chief Andy Borkowski. Marquette student Eugenia Craig was Ottawa Police Chief Brent Roalson’s companion.

Local students are invited to shadow city officials for the day, including during Tuesday’s meeting, as part of an annual civics lesson.

Playing the role of Aussem, Shepherd student Teagan Cole, for example, asked for a second to approve the use of $1 million in TIF funds for the amphitheater.

“We used to do this kind of thing when I was commissioner but this is the second time the kids got to come in while I’m mayor because of COVID,” Aussem said. “The council had some glitches and some extra comments, but in the end, the kids covered that well and I think they did a great job.”