The Galesburg City Council unanimously approved the acquisition of two long-troubled properties Monday night, clearing the way for demolition and potential neighborhood improvements.
City Manager Eric Hanson told WGIL’s Galesburg’s Morning News earlier in the day that both purchases address persistent safety hazards and open doors for future community benefits.
566 Hawthorne Court: $813 from Knox County Trustee
The first property, located at 566 Hawthorne Court, has sat vacant since 2008. With no water service, four years of unpaid taxes, a partially caved-in roof, rodent infestation, and extensive weather damage, the structure is in severe disrepair.
Hanson described the long-abandoned structure as “one of the older kind of maintenance structures out there,” noting significant structural failure. Funding comes from the city’s Property Redevelopment Fund.
According to Director of Community Development Steve Gugliotta, the building was originally part of the Mayo General Hospital, one of approximately 60 Army hospitals built nationwide during World War II. Construction began in May 1943; the hospital closed in September 1946. The University of Illinois used the site as a satellite campus from 1947–1949, and the Illinois Department of Public Health operated it as the Galesburg State Research Hospital from 1950–1985.
City directories show the specific building housed Woodcraft Signs from roughly 1990–2001/2002 and Rory Rice Signs until 2003. No occupants are listed after 2003.
“While we certainly recognize and value the historical significance of the buildings in this area, this particular structure has been abandoned for many years,” Gugliotta told WGIL. “A large portion of the roof has collapsed, and the building is now in an unsafe and deteriorated condition.”
1217 S. Pearl St.: $10,000 Strategic Buy Next to H.T. Custer Park
The second acquisition targets 1217 S. Pearl St., located at the southeast corner of East Fifth Street and South Pearl — directly across from H.T. Custer Park and adjacent to 4.4 acres of city-owned land (the former nursing home site).
For $10,000 — funded through the Economic Development Fund — the city will demolish the structure to eliminate blight, improve public safety, and create a more functional site. While no immediate redevelopment is planned, Hanson called the site “key” for future connectivity.
“This property is in my ward, and I’ve had numerous, numerous complaints about this,” said Ward 3 Alderman Evan Miller. “This is a property that definitely needs to come down.”
With recent investments in H.T. Custer Park — including new playgrounds, paths, and restrooms via a 2023 OSLAD grant — Hanson said he sees the cleared land as a potential extension of green space, improved park access, or future community use.
Other Agenda Items Approved at Monday’s City Council Meeting
In addition to the property acquisitions, the Galesburg City Council approved the following items:
- Consent Agenda #2025-21:
- 25-5007: Municipal Compliance Report for the Galesburg Firefighters’ Pension Fund (FY ended Dec. 31, 2024).
- 25-5008: Municipal Compliance Report for the Galesburg Police Pension Fund (FY ended Dec. 31, 2024).
- 25-5009: Quarterly Investment Schedule.
- 25-8020: Bills and Advance Checks Approval.
- Ordinances and Resolutions:
- 25-1017: Ordinance on Revenue Adjustments (final reading; effective Jan. 1, 2026).
- Town Business:
- 25-9025: Minutes from Oct. 14, 2025 Special Meeting.
- 25-9026: Resolution to Determine Tax Levy (not exceeding 105% of 2024).
- 25-9027: Town Bills Approval.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2025.
