State of the Cities: Mayors from Ottawa, Peru, Spring Valley, Utica and Oglesby highlight their cities

Five mayors in La Salle and Bureau counties highlighted their cities Thursday in front of about 300 business and government officials during the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Cities luncheon at Grand Bear Resort in Utica.

The annual event, which gives mayors the microphone to speak about accomplishments and upcoming projects within their communities, returned after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic.

Bill Zens, executive director at Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke enthusiastically of the projects both completed and projected, noting the impact they may have regionally.

Kimberly Hill, of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, attended the luncheon to highlight several state grant opportunities, including options for small businesses affected by the pandemic to collect more funds.

Ottawa Mayor Dan Aussem

Two major recreational projects highlighted a presentation given Thursday by Ottawa Mayor Dan Aussem at the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the Cities event in Utica.

Aussem said the new $24 million YMCA along the city’s Illinois riverfront is expected to break ground this spring, along with plans for the city to utilize recreational marijuana sales tax revenues to build a new $5 million swimming pool facility to replace Riordan Pool.

With the development of the YMCA along the riverfront, Aussem said the city is seeking a $3 million Rebuild Downtown and Main Streets grant with the state to build an amphitheater at the former Central School site. The City Council is prepared to put $1 million of TIF money into the project.

The Sainte Genevieve, a 149-passenger sternwheeler, is expected to open this summer for tours of the Illinois River, providing another attraction to the city.

The mayor also noted the city intends to spend $300,000 to fix issues regarding the $1.3 million rewatering of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. He said the city has worked with the state extensively to rectify issues with the water growing stagnant.

Aussem also highlighted the anticipated completion of splash pads and other amenities at Thornton Park, the development of 135-plus acres of Harper’s Farm by the Conservation Foundation to host soccer fields and other recreation, the establishment of Nell’s Woodland into a forest preserve with the resources to support stewardship and programming in ecology, wellness and the arts.

Aussem said the Music in the Park series combined with $500 grants awarded to local businesses from the Special Events Committee to host live entertainment has given the downtown a boost.

Additionally, Ottawa’s mayor said the Ottawa Port District landed a $9,770,750 grant to relocate the switchyard located between Route 23 and Champlain Street. This action could alleviate traffic congestion at Columbus and La Salle (Route 23) streets — where there’s been a history of stopped or slow trains causing traffic jams.

Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski

Peru Mayor Ken Kolowsi said the city generated $6.7 million in sales tax revenue, which is 35% of all retail sales tax revenue in La Salle County, despite the city making up 9% of the county’s population. The sales tax revenue is credited for keeping property tax rates down, he said.

Kolowski said the city added new businesses, such as Wahlburgers, Jeremiah Joe Coffee, Domino’s Pizza, Fire on Fifth and seen the expansion of five new hangars at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport. He said he is excited for the construction of QuikTrip along Interstate 80, because it will bring in revenue from out-of-towners and invite them into Peru’s business district.

He thanked the Doug and Rorie Schweickert Charitable Trust for its $1 million donation for the creation of a 2,600 square-foot building in Washington Park and various Veterans Park improvements that will be an enhancement to the existing ball field, home to the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp.

Credit the city staff and City Council, Kolowski said the city spent $984,000 on street improvements, an increase of $284,000, highlighting an intergovernmental project with the city of La Salle to improve Wenzel Road / 24th Street.

Spring Valley Mayor Melanie Malooley Thompson

Spring Valley Mayor Melanie Malooley Thompson said she’s spent her first year talking with community stakeholders to unite the city on working plans.

A number of projects are in the works to improve the city.

A dog park is expected to open soon at Casford Park. Through donations from Spring Valley businesses and citizens, the city will be able to provide a dog park for residents to utilize.

The city also is putting together an extensive project to inspect rental properties, in order to ensure they are safe dwellings. A rental registration program will be utilized to organize the city’s information, and even include a mechanism for residents to report and lodge complaints.

The city is utilizing $108,000 in Strong Communities grant funds to acquire vacant houses, demolish them and clear the lots for future development. The city has successfully acquired two properties and seeks three more.

Thompson said the city is hopeful it receives a Rebuild Downtown and Main Streets grant to redevelop the 100 block of East St. Paul Street downtown and convert them into recreational uses. The plan calls for an indoor recreational facility, including indoor golf, retail pop ups and another building that could house two restaurants, along with rooftop dining. The plan also includes opportunities for local artists to contribute a sculpture or artwork.

Additionally, Thompson is hopeful the city receives a state sidewalks grant to create safe walking paths from JFK Elementary School to the downtown.

She applauded the community’s Summer Fest, its award-winning National Night Out and Whoville-themed Christmas parade. She said the city is allowing use of City Hall basement for a youth center and Police Chief Adam Curran has established a scholarship for Hall or St. Bede students to go into public services.

Utica Village President David Stewart

Mill Street outdoor dining has been a success, said Village President David Stewart.

The city plans to close its main street again from April 29 to Oct. 30 to allow outdoor dining. The idea originated when the city adapted to COVID-19 mitigations, allowing restaurants to utilize the space. Entering the third year of the plan, Stewart said it has been a hit with restaurants and their diners.

Stewart said the village already is seeing the benefit of the reconstructed Illinois River bridge, which included a bike and walking path connecting the community with Starved Rock State Park.

“It is used frequently,” Stewart said Thursday.

The village president also talked about city offices moving into the former Waltham School south campus. He said the gymnasium is being used for recreational activities and leftover space allowed for Heritage Corridor to open a welcome center inside the building.

Stewart said the village is hopeful it receives Rebuild Downtown and Main Streets grant to install the shops of Mini Mill Street in a plot of land that’s been empty since the 2004 tornado. Small, portable shops would be installed to house retail. Stewart said the village is hoping to hear news on the grant some time this month.

Oglesby Mayor Dom Rivara

Oglesby Mayor Dom Rivara said the continued expansion of GTI Industries has provided 264 jobs since 2021, with the expectation of creating 60 more in 2022. He said that doesn’t include the roughly 100 other jobs created by construction projects there.

Rivara said the city has been working closely with Illinois Valley Community College on two projects. One project involves hiring a full-time resource police officer to monitor the college, as well as serve Oglesby’s grade schools. The other project he said could save taxpayers $550,000 over a five-year period if IVCC and the city come to terms on an electricity agreement.