Galesburg mayor charts new direction for community center, homelessness solutions
Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman. (WGIL)
Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman joined Galesburg’s Morning News to provide updates on the proposed community center, efforts to address homelessness, and the search for a new Ward One alderman.
Below are key takeaways from the discussion:
Council Support and Priorities: Schwartzman highlighted unanimous council support for a community center, backed by $2 million in the 2025 budget plus $1.3 million in state and federal funds, with a preference for a non-city operator to reduce costs and address distrust in government, and a south-side location (south of Main Street) to improve access for underserved areas.
Scope and Vision: The Mayor emphasized focusing on “what and why,” envisioning a multi-use hub for recreation, youth, and senior services, distinct from the recent $900,000 YMCA grant for childcare and teen spaces, which doesn’t fill south-side access gaps.
Project Now Partnership: The city partnered with Project Now from Rock Island, chosen for its track record in community efforts and securing funding; a recent all-day meeting with Dr. Dwight Ford, Project Now’s director, included local stakeholders (college presidents, clergy, superintendents, councilors) and was “very productive,” with Ford noting Galesburg’s potential and solidarity.
Site Selection and Timeline: Tours of seven south-side sites (e.g., old library, Gunther site, Weston school) shifted the council’s focus to location; Schwartzman aims to present a proposal by year-end for discussion over winter, targeting a spring 2026 vote.
Current Situation: Schwartzman noted a visible rise in unhoused individuals, estimating 200, particularly near the new Galesburg Public Library due to its central, high-use location, sparking community concerns about vandalism.
Initial Strategies: A stakeholder meeting last month with 20-25 participants identified resource gaps; the Mayor is engaging directly with unhoused individuals, some of whom attended a Washington D.C. conference to connect with agencies and seek funding for proposals.
Community Concerns: While emphasizing that most unhoused individuals seek stable housing, Schwartzman noted property damage issues, with police action taken against destructive behavior, though “very few reports” involve violence toward others.
Long-Term Goals: The Mayor alluded to long-term solutions like affordable housing and job programs to get people “on a positive track,” stressing a humanitarian approach and citing a council member’s personal experience with homelessness to underscore empathy.
Ongoing Efforts: Community feedback highlights the need for respect and accountability; the city is exploring funding and partnerships to address both immediate needs and systemic prevention.
Search Process: Following Bradley Hix’s departure, a two-week application period is open, with submissions due by Sept. 3, 2025, via City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz or the Mayor’s office; the application is straightforward, taking about an hour. Email the Mayor directly at pschwart@ci.galesburg.il.us.
Selection Criteria: Schwartzman seeks a candidate passionate about Galesburg, who will contribute positively and represent Ward One’s interests, maintaining council harmony.
Transparency: The Mayor denied rumors of pre-selection, emphasizing a fair process and his commitment to a serious, inclusive search for a community-driven leader.
Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman. (WGIL)