City officials hope a grant program will make it easier for developers and Downtown Galesburg property owners to convert unused space into housing.
The Downtown Residential Fire Sprinkler Grant Program has been designed to assist and encourage an increase in residential units available in the downtown while meeting adopted construction codes. The City is willing to participate in a reimbursement of 50% of the total project cost of a sprinkler system, up to a maximum of $20,000, subject to availability of funds.
City officials believe the grant program will promote the safety, well-being, and retention of business operations by increasing residential occupants, and thereby enhance interest in visiting downtown.
Steve Gugliotta, director of Community Development, said the idea of encouraging downtown residential units has been a topic of interest mentioned in previous studies, including the Downtown Galesburg Strategic Planning for the Future document created in 2008 and updated in 2015, along with the 2016 Design Development of Downtown Public Spaces in 2016 and the Comprehensive Plan in 2019.
Gugliotta tells WGIL, “The presence of people in the downtown at all times of day and night is very desirable and could be particularly attractive to young professionals, retired persons and those seeking an urban residential experience.
“Living in the heart of the city puts you within walking distance of shops, restaurants, entertainment and other amenities. One can also easily get around using public transportation or by foot.”
Gugliotta said there are approximately 95 registered rentals within the proposed grant boundary in the designated downtown area.
As for buildings that could benefit, he noted there are a number of vacant upper stories, some of which would require extensive renovation to turn into apartments. There are other buildings that have apartments, but have not been used as such in 20-plus years and may need less renovation to get back into productive use.
Fire sprinkler grant program would assist building owners
Other than detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in height, an automatic sprinkler system is required in all Use Group R (residential) fire areas.
The Downtown Residential Fire Sprinkler Grant Program is another step the city is taking to boost qualify of life in Downtown Galesburg, according to Gugliotta. Over the last 14 years there have been over 30 projects assisted with the Facade Redevelopment Project and over 25 projects assisted with tax increment financing. These projects have improved existing businesses and also brought in new office, retail and restaurants.
Improvements to Downtown Galesburg have included the renovation of Park Plaza, removal of some blighted properties, and the city partnering with the Galesburg Downtown Council to purchase and install holiday lights. Next year, the city will begin renovation of Parking Lot H and Simmons Street between Prairie and Kellogg streets.
“So it wasn’t one reason, but a combination of many situations, partnerships, communication and a desire by many to always seek new opportunities to encourage redevelopment to keep our downtown vibrant,” Gugliotta said.
Jay Bullis, president of the Downtown Council board of directors, said he believes the Downtown Residential Fire Sprinkler Grant Program could spur additional resident options downtown.
Bullis notes there are some existing apartments downtown that have been vacant and could be brought back to life.
“We have a full range of people — all the way from Knox students up to our older generation —that don’t want to take care of a yard, so to speak,” Bullis said. “And there are waiting lists for downtown residential, so that kind of tells us there is a need for additional living spaces.
“Hopefully this is a start for some people to say, ‘Could I do that?’ It’s a very good first step.”
‘I always wanted to live downtown in an upper story loft’
Former Galesburg City Manager Gary Goddard has lived in the Historic Seminary Street District for 20 years and is a proponent downtown residential living.
“I always wanted to live downtown in an upper story loft,” Goddard said. “I just really enjoy. When I first moved in, I would walk to work every morning, and that always provided nice interaction with people I would see along the way.
“Now, I can walk to the (Downtown) Y to work out, and that’s two blocks away. I pass the Orpheum and it’s a block away. And then all the restaurants downtown are extremely handy for me to walk to.”
Goddard added, “It takes some of the older buildings and converts the upper levels to actual usable space, in this case living space. And it gives the appearance of a more vibrant downtown.”
Aldermen will consider a resolution to adopt the Downtown Residential Fire Sprinkler Grant Program at the Nov. 20 City Council meeting.
