City Matters: From Underpass Plans to Pancake Kitchens – Eric Hanson Previews Tonight

Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson (JAY REDFERN/WGIL)
City Manager Eric Hanson joins Galesburg’s Morning News to preview tonight's City Council agenda and discuss key initiatives for the new year. The conversation covers traffic safety ordinances (stop signs and school-hour parking), the reapplication for a Federal-State Partnership grant for South Street railroad underpass planning, and the proposed TIF agreement with Judy's Kitchen LLC for a downtown open breakfast kitchen.
Hanson explains the South Street project’s goals for improved safety and mobility near the Amtrak station, the Judy's Kitchen expansion to add a public-facing kitchen for pancake production and live demos, and broader 2026 priorities like the Lake Storey trail development, park upgrades, and the search for an in-house city attorney. The discussion highlights long-term cost savings, downtown vitality, and community benefits.
City Council meets tonight (Jan. 20) at 6 p.m. in City Hall.
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Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson (JAY REDFERN/WGIL)