Normal Town Council

The developer of the Trail East project in Uptown Normal has pulled out of the deal. Bush Construction tells the town the time is not right to go ahead.

Town of Normal financial planners said in a report to the town council that fiscal trends are largely positive or stable with only a couple areas of worry. Mayor Chris Koos acknowledged one of those is mandated fire and police pension contributions.

Moviegoers visiting the historic Normal Theater now can add a brew to their view. On Tuesday, the town council voted to allow alcohol sales at regular events there, as well as in surrounding areas in Uptown, during certain town-sponsored events and festivals.

The long-delayed Trail East in Uptown Normal is downsizing. Town planner Mercy Davison said Friday developers want to build a four-story structure instead of a five-story building.

The Normal Town Council will take up a long-awaited economic development initiative on Monday.

Normal Town Council member Kathleen Lorenz keeps expressing reservations about a $24 million Uptown underpass project and yet keeps voting for it over a period of years. She said during a WGLT Sound Ideas interview, she is taking a leap of faith.

After hearing from former town leaders and other citizens, the Normal Town Council voted 6-1 Monday night to accept federal and state grant funding that will finance more than 90% of the cost of the Uptown underpass project.

A van with laser scanners will drive all 400-plus lane miles in the town to see just how good or bad the streets are. Town Engineer Ryan Otto said the mapping can detect differences in depths of just a few millimeters. That's a lot less than the average pothole. Otto said there's a reason for that.

A van with laser scanners will drive all 400-plus lane miles in the town to see just how good or bad the streets are. Town Engineer Ryan Otto said the mapping can detect differences in depths of just a few millimeters. That's a lot less than the average pothole. Otto said there's a reason for that.

The Normal Town Council voted Monday to continue a program that allows on-street dining areas in front of some Uptown restaurants.