As the new year kicks off, the Town of Normal is looking forward to more capital projects, more equipment purchases, and more economic activity.
City Manager Pam Reece said last year was a very busy one with capital improvements and a lot of accomplishments.
“Those individuals that were around town all through the summer during construction season probably were relatively inconvenienced by road closures and having to divert from their typical routes," Reece said WGLT's Sound Ideas.
"East College Avenue was resurfaced. We had a portion of Main Street shut down for a good part of the year. Over about seven months, our contractor was able to install about a mile’s worth of new water main. That was a very complex project that's complete.”
In road resurfacing, alone the town spent $5.5 million last year. This year that will grow by more than $500,000.
“People have talked regularly about potholes, and we feel like we're making very good progress on our pavement preservation. So, 2024 will be same show but different streets, and lots of construction happening,” said Reece.
Capital projects
The town put about $11.5 million into overall capital projects, which Reece said was more than typical, noting the town is in a good financial position to add to its Community Investment Plan.
“We will continue to invest more in our capital needs over the next five years. Last year, we had a $175 million plan over a five-year period. We now have a $209 million capital investment plan," said Reece.
The town has big parks and rec plans for the new year.
“We're ready to open in 2024 with new refurbished water slides at both Fairview and Anderson pools. I think people have noticed they look fresh. They're ready to go. We'll be eagerly anticipating May 2024 and the new aquatic season," said Reece.
The town plans a new skating area at Fairview Park, too.
The town also expects to finish its new Fire Station No. 2this year after many years of planning and budgeting.
Grants success
One of the things the town has emphasized historically is an effort to leverage local spending into state and federal grants. Reece said she was pleased with the 2023 grant harvest of more than $5.3 million.
“Some are more notable than others. For example, the new Lucky Climber at the Children's Discovery Museum. Anyone that comes through uptown in the evenings can enjoy the Lucky Climber. It's well lit. It's a really neat amenity in Uptown," said Reece.
"Other things include grants in support of fire station number two, money for conducting safety studies, such as a pedestrian study around the Illinois State University campus. We're partnering with Illinois State on that.”
Awards
“The Children’s Discovery Museum won national recognition from the Association of Science and Technology Centers for its programs, community service and STEM education efforts, in partnership with Heartland Head Start and others.
That's really great,” said Reece.
LIFE-CIL recognized the town and its Americans with Disabilities Act compliance team with a "Do the Right Thing" award.
“And so we're really proud of our staff that works hard to improve our ADA accessibility, and make improvements for all access,” said Reece.
A quirkier award also is "fun to celebrate," Reece said, noting “Our water utility was recognized as best tasting water by the Illinois Potable Water Operators Association."
Equipment needs
In another area, the town — over the next five years — is planning to spend about $39 million on purchases related to vehicle and equipment needs.
“Things like equipment include fire trucks, fire engines, all the Public Works fleet vehicles, Normal Police Department squad cars. It’s fleet. It is technology. It’s equipment to keep the organization running. It’s snowplows. That is a big dollar amount. But that reflects increasing costs of heavy equipment, and our ongoing planning to replace our equipment and our fleet when their life cycles end,” said Reece.
Data out from the Federal Reserve shows inflation pressure may be receding, and Reece hopes interest rates for borrowing do actually improve.
"We’re hoping if that's the case, that we'll be able to complete some economic development projects that maybe have been on hold because of financing, some of the housing projects, some of the Uptown development projects," she said. "If the market can support construction of these projects, we will be at the table and hopefully work with developers to get these projects to the finish line.”
There’s potentially a lot more in the pipeline. For instance, Reece said the town approved more than 1,400 new housing units last year, many of which have not begun construction.
