Uptown Normal

Normal City Manager Pam Reece said the Federal Railroad Administration has assured the town it's OK with the delay.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved three resolutions to proceed with work on the long-delayed Uptown underpass.

The underpass project is up for a second vote because the first contractor pulled out of the project. Since then, the cost has risen from $32 million to $34 million, but the town's cost remains the same. That's close to $15 million.

The new version of the proposed Trail East and West development project in Uptown Normal would be primarily residential housing on the north side of the traffic circle straddling Constitution Trail. And a controversial mural on a building in the project footprint would likely be torn down.

The Normal Town Council has a new code of ethics, and though it’s mostly symbolic, the resident who proposed the idea says it is needed in today’s political climate.

The exhibit area closed for renovations in January. It will officially reopen on Thursday, April 9, featuring pretend play and education on agriculture, farming and the sources of food in Central Illinois.

2025 was a good year for Normal, according to City Manager Pam Reece, noting town achievements include a range of infrastructure projects, opening a refurbished skate park at Fairview Park, and advancing the town's public arts plan.

Often Running in Normal is closing soon. Manager Mitch Hobbs said the running shoe and apparel store will likely close in the next few weeks once its remaining inventory is sold.

The mayor of Normal is answering criticism of the town council decision's to move ahead with the Uptown underpass project despite steep price increases and a larger town share of the $40.3 million cost.

The Uptown underpass project, first proposed 10 years ago, was approved Monday night by the Normal Town Council with a sunset provision on tax increases needed to complete financing.