The Danville Public Services Committee took initiative during Tuesday (May 23rd) evening’s meeting to have Danville apply for $400,000-plus in grants; out of a maximum amount of $700,000; from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Stronger Communities Program. Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr says the deadline for the application was coming soon, so the action was taken Tuesday night. His hope is that the funding will be awarded in the fall, with the City Council able to apply it to the next fiscal year.
Since his time as mayor began, Williams has been a strong proponent of “getting rid of the blight” in the city. He says this grant would help get rid of even more abandoned structures than originally planned over the next couple years.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Our Community Development team, led by Logan Cronk, has been very successful in receiving these grants in the past. And essentially, if we’re able to get this grant, we think that we can demolish over 30 structures, which would be huge. And that’s about a third of the number of structures that we’re able to tear down every year, so that would be 30 on top of what we already have planned scheduled for demolition.
Soon to be Danville Assistant Fire Chief Brian Smith (center) speaks during Tuesday evening’s Danville City Council Public Services Committee meeting.
In other City of Danville news; on Friday morning, May 26th, Brian Smith will officially be sworn in as Assistant Fire Chief, under Chief Aaron Marcott. Smith says he’s been on the Danville Fire Department for 22 years, and recently came upon this opportunity.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Just something this I just tested for; I knew that we had some opportunities come up. And I took the classes that were required for it, and got the position.
As the Golden Nugget casino prepares to open, invite-only VIP nights have been scheduled for this week as a trial run for the new staff. Mayor Williams is hoping for an end of the month opening.
Finally, Mayor Williams mentioned that invite-only VIP nights have been scheduled at the new Golden Nugget Casino for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings; and the whole idea is, get everything smoothed out and be ready to welcome the public.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: But of course; when you have anything that’s new especially, and they’ve got 500 machines to maintain; they’re working out little kinks and such. But it looks like things are going very well, and I have confidence in our team that we’ll be able to open soon.
Mayor Williams says he’s still hoping for a full opening by the end of the month.
