Three ayes, three likely nays and one unknown stance that would tip the vote should decide whether or not Galesburg will spend nearly $3.6 million to renovate its Armory into a center for some form of public use.
Aldermen spent nearly an hour last night listening to their constituents voice opinions on a proposed renovation of the Broad Street Armory.
Today, Council members are sharing their beliefs on the project. Aldermen Russell Fleming, Wayne Dennis and Wayne Allen have all told WGIL they are against paying for renovations at the proposed cost.
Allen says the Armory is important, but the current proposition is being rushed.
“Everybody says ‘if we can do this with the Armory, if we fix it, we can do this, this and this–maybe,”‘ Allen says. “One guy made the point the best (last night) because that’s like saying if you build it they will come. Well, I think we need to be at the point where we’ll build it with what they need to come instead of just building something.”
Aldermen Peter Schwartzman, Jeremy Karlin and Corine Anderson will vote to support the project.
Ward 1 Alderman Angela Bastian will likely be the deciding factor and could not be reached for comment. Bastian has said little to this point on her view and was absent from last night’s meeting.
Mayor John Pritchard, who is against using money from a utility-tax to pay for the project, does have veto power, should the vote pass. Pritchard says he has not considered vetoing at this point.
Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 5th for their regularly scheduled meeting.