In the mid 1970s, Jay Matson was among a select group that envisioned a specialty shopping and dining district designed to help save retail in downtown Galesburg, Illinois. That vision, which became known as Seminary Street Historic Downtown District., quickly turned into a success story that’s been a model for other cities around the country.
Nearly a half century later, Seminary Street Historic Downtown District — with its mix of shopping, dining, museums, arts, services and residential living — is still going strong.
He’s a huge reason why Downtown Galesburg is vibrant and thriving today.
Now retired and living in California, Jay Matson joins WGIL’s Jay Redfern to talk about the evolution of Seminary Street.